The Colts could use all hands on deck as they try to pull out of their season-long nosedive, but they won’t have the services of their 2015 first-round pick for a month or more.

Reports that wide receiver Phillip Dorsett suffered a fracture in his lower leg during Sunday’s loss to the Saints were confirmed on Monday. Dorsett will have surgery on Tuesday and said that it was a clean break that avoided any nerve or ligament damage, which leaves him to lament the timing of the injury.

“I was literally just starting to get in the flow and get in the game plan more,” Dorsett said, via the Indianapolis Star. “I was getting more involved and we had a lot more four-wide [sets] in. I was playing a little running back. Things happen. It’s football. But I don’t expect a drop-off when I get back.”

The timeline for his return is set at 4-6 weeks, which would get him back before the end of the regular season if all goes according to plan. Whether there will be much to play for at that point will come down to his teammates’ ability to find a high enough level of play to remain in front of the rest of an AFC South that may be won by a team with a losing record.

The Colts dropped to 3-4 in a 27-21 loss to the Saints on Sunday and they also reportedly lost one of their wide receivers for multiple weeks.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that first-round pick Phillip Dorsett suffered a fractured ankle during the first half of the game. Dorsett left the game after an eight-yard catch on a pass from Andrew Luck in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Per Schefter, the initial estimate is that Dorsett will miss 4-6 weeks. He’ll have more tests on Monday and it would seem to be a possibility that the team would place Dorsett on injured reserve if there’s a feeling he’ll be out any longer than the top end of that estimate.

Dorsett had that one catch on Sunday and has 21 catches for 159 yards on the year.

Everything the Colts did in the offseason was designed to help them beat the Patriots. That's why this week's AFC Championship rematch (8:30 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC) is so important to the franchise.

The Colts, who allowed 423 rushing yards in two games against the Patriots last season, were also alarmed by their play on the offensive side of the ball. And that, according to multiple sources, affected their strategy in free agency and in the draft.

The Colts were hoping former Missouri linebacker Shane Ray would be available when they selected 29th in the draft, sources say. But the Denver Broncos nabbed him at No. 23 overall, and that shifted the Colts' priority to finding a receiver who could take the top off a defense. In both the AFC championship game and their November game against New England, No. 1 receiver T.Y. Hilton was largely held in check.

"They took T.Y. out of the game by pressing him and having someone over the top," one source familiar with the team said. "When they shut him down, it messed with the entire complexion of the offense."

Indianapolis hoped drafting wideout Phillip Dorsett in the first round would force defenses to choose which deep threat they needed to double-team. Though Dorsett has taken some time to get acclimated to the offense, he has flashed big-play potential in the three games he has played with quarterback Andrew Luck.

"T.Y. makes plays, and if they are focusing on him, that's why you haveAndre Johnson and Donte Moncrief and Phil (Dorsett) and Griff (Whalen) and the tight ends," Luck told reporters this week. "There are a whole bunch of weapons in this locker room. I'm sure they'll have a plan."

Luck (shoulder) told reporters that he practiced "without limitations" on Monday and said it's very likely he'll suit up Sunday after missing the last two games.

Dorsett was limited to four-wide sets, but outplayed Andre Johnson for the second straight week. The Colts didnt attempt any passes downfield with Matt Hasselbeck starting. Dorsett should push for a bigger role if Johnson's struggles continue. With Andrew Luck's status up in the air, Dorsett isn't a Week 5 fantasy option.

Colts wide receiver Phillip Dorsett caught two of his three targets for 43 yards and his first career touchdown in Sunday's win over the Titans.

Dorsett flashed his big-play ability in hauling in a 35-yard catch from quarterback Andrew Luck for a fourth-quarter score. The 2015 first-rounder will continue to be integrated into the offense, although the Colts have a lot of mouths to feed with T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Andre Johnson around.

Phillip Dorsett caught 1-of-6 targets for 25 yards in the Colts' Week 2 loss to the Jets on Monday night.

Most of Dorsett's targets were low-percentage deep shots into coverage. His lone grab was on a simple out route that Dorsett turned upfield for plenty of YAC. Dorsett is a mere WR5 as the Colts' sparingly-used No. 4 receiver.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Phillip Dorsett is trying to keep his focus on what's in front of him.

The Colts rookie has been thrown into the mix early with an opportunity to make an impact right away, both as a receiver and punt returner. Dorsett could have a chance to play an even bigger role this week if T.Y. Hilton isn't ready to play against the Jets on Monday night.

Indy's Pro Bowl receiver didn't practice Friday for the second straight day because of a knee injury suffered in last weekend's loss to Buffalo.

Dorsett said he will be ready to go if called on.

''It's the next man mentality,'' he said. ''I just have to fill in. There really can't be much of a drop off. We have to always stay ready. That's one thing that I always prepare myself to be able to be ready in practice so that when my time comes, I'm able to execute.''

Dorsett struggled in his first NFL game with mistakes that only added to Indy's woes on special teams. He had two muffed punts in the fourth quarter, including one that Buffalo recovered and eventually cashed in with a field goal to take a 27-8 lead.

''At the time, of course it was frustrating,'' Dorsett said. ''We don't ever want to put the ball on the ground, but it's a learning experience. It's something you have to learn from and I'm glad it happened in the first game and not a critical game when it's really going to count.''

Donte Moncrief, in his second season with the Colts, had a mishap on special teams, too. He stepped out of the end zone on a kickoff return and fell down at the 4-yard line - one of three drives for Indianapolis (0-1) that started inside the 10-yard line.

Aside from the mistakes by Moncrief and Dorsett, and a few other little details, Colts coach Chuck Pagano said there isn't anything to worry about with Indy's special teams.

''Other than that I thought it was pretty good,'' he said this week. ''We're young and we've got a bunch of guys that it's their first professional outing returning kicks.''

Right now, the Colts are just trying to figure things out and the roles for their players. On Friday, the Colts moved cornerback Eric Patterson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to replace D'Joun Smith, who hasn't practiced this week because of a knee injury.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – It would’ve been OK to be nervous, but Phillip Dorsett insisted he wasn’t.

His job was to return a Buffalo punt early in the fourth quarter. The Colts eschewed defensive needs to draft him in the first round because they wanted a playmaker, but he had yet to make an impact in his first NFL game. This was his chance.

Colton Schmidt got the snap and boomed the ball high through the rainy Buffalo air. Dorsett promptly dropped it.

No harm, no foul, though, as Dorsett managed to fall on the ball for a 1-yard gain. He’d get the next one.

The Bills had to punt again on their next possession, and if there were any shot for Andrew Luck and the offense to get back into the game, it would have to come on the next drive.

Dorsett was deep again. Surely this opportunity was the one. Schmidt punted, Dorsett got under the ball and … dropped it. Again. This time he couldn’t recover.

The Bills would get a field goal off the turnover, going up 27-8 with just over eight minutes to play in Sunday’s season opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

It wasn’t exactly the debut the Colts had hoped for when they grabbed the Miami speedster 29th overall. They lost to first-time starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor and Buffalo Bills, 27-14.

“I’m not going to make any excuses about the ball being wet. Everybody knew it was raining, I already knew the ball was going to be wet. I just have to look the ball in. ... I was too caught up in trying to make something happen and I forgot about security first.”

Colts coach Chuck Pagano didn’t think about changing punt returners.

“He’s going to be a great punt returner for us,” Pagano said. “We’ve got to work with him. It’s the simple fundamentals. He had an opportunity to make a big play there, which would have been huge for us. He’ll get better. He’ll learn from it and grow.”

Dorsett was thankful to have a veteran like T.Y. Hilton around to boost his spirits after the fumbles. Hilton told him making a big play would help him forget about his mistakes, and that’s exactly what Dorsett did on the next series.

Andrew Luck hit him over the middle for a first down on third-and-10, and Dorsett followed it up with a 29-yard gain down the right sideline on the very next play.

“I just told him keep your head up, it’s going to happen,” Hilton said. “Coach told you there’s going to be some adversity. You don’t know when, you don’t know where it’s going to come from, but you have to find a way to bounce back. And he bounced back making that big catch. I said, the only way you’ll get that off your mind is if you go out there and do something big, and he did.”

Dorsett finished with two receptions for 45 yards. He wasn’t targeted by Luck until the fourth quarter -- Donte Moncrief opened as the No. 3 receiver -- after Hilton left with a knee injury. And if Hilton has to miss time, Dorsett may be relied on more next week against the Jets.

“He just has keep his head up and stay positive,” Hilton said. “I’m confident with all (the receivers). They should be fine.”

As far as Fleener and Dorsett go, it's great to see them back on the field and starting to practice again, as both of them could have significant roles in the offense in 2015. With Dorsett in particular the Colts were fortunate, as when he was injured in the second preseason game it initially appeared much worse than what it really was.

Of course, the Colts don't need either of them back until the September 13 regular season opener in Buffalo, as this Thursday's preseason game is the one in which the starters don't play. We might have seen Dorsett play in the game if healthy, but since he's recovering from an injury and has his roster spot secured, I would be surprised if he does end up playing in the most meaningless of all the preseason games. Instead, just let both Dorsett and Fleener continue to work their way back into the flow of things and have them ready for week one. That's likely what the Colts will do as well.

There's no need to rush either Fleener or Dorsett back with the first regular season game not for nearly two weeks, but it's still nice to hear that they are back at practice today.

Holder admits this is a position battle that is still playing out. Dorsett is the fastest receiver on the team and gets the edge on Donte Moncrief because he can play inside and outside. Moncrief has size and is equally explosive. While Dorsett has a leg up for the No. 3 job, both players will be highly inconsistent week-to-week performers. They're better best-ball picks.

A quick observation of first-round pick Phillip Dorsett and how he has played through three weeks of training camp:

At this point, the Colts would get a thumbs-down based on the position they addressed with their first-round pick when they knew they had concerns on the offensive line. But that isn't Dorsett's fault. The wide receiver shouldn't be blamed for Indianapolis selecting him, and his performance in training camp through the first three weeks definitely deserves a thumbs-up.

I wrote about Dorsett last week, and in that piece, cornerback Greg Toler said the speedster "flat out burns down the field. You sit on his routes too much or miss on a jam and it’s a foot race.” That's how it's been from the start for Dorsett. A lot of speed. Dorsett's ability to quickly grasp multiple receiver positions in the offense has impressed the coaching staff.

Dorsett had four receptions for a team-high 51 yards in the Colts' preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. That was the good news. The bad news was that Dorsett lost a fumble after having the ball stripped from behind. He bounced back by catching all three passes thrown his way and finishing with 21 yards in the second preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Dorsett likely would have had more receptions and yards, but he left the game with a knee contusion in the second half. He's day to day.

Dorsett, who also returns punts, is currently the Colts' No. 4 receiver behind T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief.

After a fairly decent preseason debut last week Dorsett backed it up with a mediocre performance. He also suffered a bruised knee during the game. Dorsett was able to catch all 3 of his targets for a pedestrian 21 yards, with his longest reception only eight yards. Not what you want to see from this speedster, but for the most part the offense as a whole struggled in this one. (Mike Chappell on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Coach Pagano said that Dorsett is going to be "day to day" so there's nothing to worry about. What you should be worried about is that he is under two elite pass catchers on the depth chart.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts starting cornerback Greg Toler has lined up across from countless receivers in practice during his seven-year NFL career.

Larry Fitzgerald. Reggie Wayne. T.Y. Hilton.

So lining up across from first-round pick Phillip Dorsett would be just like going against the receivers listed above.

It wasn't the same.

Toler and Dorsett were on the outside racing down the field when the veteran cornerback took his speed to “fourth gear” to try to stay with the speedster out of the University of Miami.

What did Dorsett do to make sure he could get by Toler?

“All of a sudden he dropped it into seventh gear,” Toler said. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ I had to tell him to slow down. He flat out burns down the field. You sit on his routes too much or miss on a jam and it’s a foot race.”

Speed. Exceptional speed, in fact (4.2-second 40-yard dash).

That’s the reason why the Colts went against what many thought they should do by taking Dorsett over an offensive or defensive lineman with their first-round pick back in late April.

Who cares that Indianapolis already had Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Andre Johnson on the roster. The Colts wanted more speed. And that's what Dorsett has given them so far.

Dorsett didn’t disappoint in his first preseason game. He had four receptions for a team-high 51 yards while starting with Johnson in the Colts’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend.

But as Dorsett sat shifting his phone back and forth between hands on Monday, he didn’t have much interest in talking about his receiving yards. Losing a fumble was more important to him.

“I don’t look at things like how many catches I had and things like that,” Dorsett said. “I look at what I can improve on. Fumbling is definitely one of the things I can improve on. I have to learn from it by working hard in practice on my ball security.”

Colts coach Chuck Pagano echoed Dorsett’s words.

“He’s a big play waiting to happen, but again, he has to take care of the football,” the coach said. “You’re looking at a guy that’s going to be an outstanding football player. But you know, what you’re going to remember is the turnover. He’s going to be a dynamic guy for us.”

Dorsett, according to the people I talked to, has been a sponge since he reported for rookie minicamp back in May. He’s been that way with the coaching staff, quarterback Andrew Luck and especially Hilton and the veteran Johnson. Dorsett really had no choice but to be a sponge because the Colts plan to line him up and use him in an assortment of ways this season. He can line up in the slot, on the outside, come in motion and take a reverse. He's also the primary punt returner.

That’s just how skilled Dorsett is.

“He’s a fast study,” offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said. “One of the things that’s been surprising about Dorsett is his ability to digest a lot of information and be able to play multiple positions in our offense. It’s always been a challenge for a lot of young players to be able to come in and handle the volume that we put on them. He’s done a pretty good job.”

Dorsett’s ability to grasp concepts quickly came after he made the switch from quarterback to receiver his sophomore year in high school. The switch came once he realized he was too short to play quarterback.

“When I want to apply myself to something, I’m really good at learning it,” Dorsett said. “The hardest part is knowing what position you are at one moment and then somebody else coming and you’re going to a different position and your whole mindset has to change to run a different route and all that. You have to be on your toes because you never know what position you’re going to get.”

The Indianapolis Colts have talked up rookie receiver Phillip Dorsett since the moment he was drafted in the first round. On Sunday, we finally got to see what all the hype was about for ourselves.

Dorsett didn't disappoint.

With T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief both sitting out the preseason opener, Dorsett got the start and was targeted often by Andrew Luck in the Colts' 36-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dorsett finished with a team-high four receptions for 51 yards, displaying game-speed, solid route running and a quick-cut capability.

His day wasn't perfect, as the rookie left a few plays on the field and was stripped after a 20-yard catch.

Still, the Colts remain giddy about Dorsett's potential.

"He's a big play waiting to happen, but again he has to take care of the football," coach Chuck Pagano said, per the team's official website. "You're looking at a guy that's going to be an outstanding football player, but you know what you're going to remember is the turnover. But again, he's going to be a dynamic guy for us."

A turnover in the first preseason game isn't necessarily a bad thing if it keeps the hype somewhat curtailed while giving the young player something to improve upon.

Dorsett's immediate chemistry with Luck is a great sign for the rookie's production in 2015. He'll remain in a battle with Moncrief for the third-receiver snaps, but Dorsett displayed Sunday that he's got the makings of a stud.

Dorsett has game-changing speed and figures to be a deep threat right out of the gate. Still, T.Y. Hilton's contract extension is definitely a blow to Dorsett's short- and long-term fantasy value because the two share a similar skill set. Even with Hilton and Andre Johnson blocking his path, Dorsett still warrants late-round consideration with Andrew Luck under center. He remains on the first-round fringe in Dynasty rookie drafts.

ANDERSON, Ind. — Phillip Dorsett has shown more than just speed at training camp.

NFL rookies typically need time to hone their craft and enhance their skills against fellow professionals. Dorsett is no different, but the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver is already wise beyond his 22 years.

During last Friday’s practice at Anderson University, quarterback Andrew Luck went deep in Dorsett’s direction with an on-target bomb. The first-round draft choice had a step on the safety and a closing cornerback. The rookie ever so subtly took his eye of the ball to look off one of the defenders, then found it again in flight and made the catch for about a 60-yard gain.

Proven NFL wide receivers develop this skill of not alerting defenders to an incoming pass by how they look back for the ball and not putting their hands into position to make a catch until the last possible moment.

Dorsett already has this ability down pat.

“He’s an active listener,” Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said. “He’s done a great job of digesting a lot of information and I think you see the fruits of his labor out on the practice field. He’s making a ton of plays and he’s not just playing in one spot.”

That’s been Dorsett’s biggest adjustment to the Colts’ playbook. In this offense, receivers are expected to know all of the positions and routes. Dorsett’s ongoing learning process hasn’t prevented him from turning heads and impressing teammates as well as fans with continual cant-miss catches.“I feel like I was pretty prepared for camp,” Dorsett said of his work during offseason training activities and mini-camp. “Training hard in the offseason like I always do, mentally preparing, just going over your plays, going over your iPad. We had our iPads over break, so I was always in it. I was ready.”

He’s learning every day from Pro Bowl stars T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson. Dorsett and Luck have their timing down, too. Hilton, among other things, has set an example for how to be crafty to get open. Johnson defines work ethic and attention to detail as a consummate professional.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned from Andre is the way to work, how to go about your business,” Dorsett said.

They worked out together in Miami before Dorsett was drafted. Johnson has praised his understudy periodically, beginning in offseason training activities.Dorsett understood he could enhance his learning curve with his preparation in the offseason.

“There are a lot of things that I have improved on coming into this camp,” he said. “It’s basically just running the shorter routes. I know I’ve improved on things like that. Just the playbook basically. It’s a lot of information, and I’m getting it down because I’m all over the place. I would say basically the playbook. Once it trims down during the season, I should be fine.”

Dorsett is involved in a competition with second-year pro Donte Moncrief and rookie Duron Carter for playing time as the team’s No. 3 wide receiver. Each have made their share of noteworthy plays. Carter, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter, had an exceptional opening week before being slowed by a groin injury. Moncrief has given every indication he’s upped his game after showing flashes of tremendous potential as a rookie.

While the pecking order is undecided so far, Dorsett’s potential suggests he could start the regular season as the slot receiver.

But for now, he’s continually studying to ensure he’s prepared to play any position.

“I am not going to lock you into one position,” Hamilton said of wide receiver sets. “You have to learn our concepts, you have to learn what all of the guys have to do because a big part of what we do is we want our receivers to be interchangeable. We just talked about it, we have to be able to move guys around so that defenses can’t just key in on one guy.”

That said, Dorsett’s speed is an undeniable strength. Anyone who runs under 4.4 in the 40-yard dash is going to open eyes when he turns it loose.

“The one thing that we have to do as coaches is we have to understand that a guy like Phillip, his biggest asset is his speed,” Hamilton said. “So there is no reason for us to handcuff him and force him to slow down because he’s overthinking things. I have to do a good job of making sure that I do not get greedy and try to put too much on him.”

So far, so good.

“It’s basically the same as the offense I ran in college,” Dorsett said of his Miami Hurricanes days. “Just more plays, more terminology and different things like that. It’s basically the same, so I really didn’t have to change how I play.”

At first Mike Adams wasn't buying. Fast? That's all anyone talked about with this kid. He's fast. Really fast. But Adams knows fast. He's been an NFL safety for 11 years. He practices against T.Y. Hilton every day. This kid, this rookie out of Miami, that everyone was gushing over? Nothing special, Adams figured. Nothing he hadn't seen before.

"When I first saw him on tape, I was like, 'No, he's not that fast,'" Adams said. "I honestly said that."

Then he saw Phillip Dorsett run through a drill at practice. Then he changed his mind.

"I was like…" Adams says. Then he tells you turn off your recorder.

"When I saw him open up, I said, '(Expletive)!' "

Now Adams buys it. Now he sees the Colts' first-round pick churning out that jaw-dropping, 4.2 speed every day in training camp. It's what makes Phillip Dorsett another tantalizing talent in an already well-stocked offensive cupboard. As Dorsett likes to say, you can't teach speed.

A sobering reminder: Dorsett is just a week into his NFL career. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

But talent is talent. All the wide receiver out of Miami has done since arriving in May as the Colts' somewhat-stunning first-round pick (defensive line, anyone?) is impress. He impressed in rookie camp. He impressed in minicamp. Now he's impressing in training camp.

Much like the University of Miami brethren he worked out with in the offseason, Andre Johnson and Frank Gore, Dorsett is a man of few words. (Wise move, rookie.) His play speaks louder. His speed speaks louder. He has future star written all over him.

"You have to really focus on him to see him," Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton says of Dorsett. "Because a lot of times he's running so fast it's hard to keep up with."

Take Saturday afternoon. After slipping past cornerback D'Joun Smith and safety Dwight Lowery, Dorsett swiped a 60-yard bomb from quarterback Andrew Luck out of the sky, hauling in the football just over his shoulder. Colts fans are bound to see one or two — or three or four — of those types of plays this season. Count on it.

Why? It's darn near impossible for a defender to keep Dorsett in front of him.

"He can fly," defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said. "He can take the top off defenses."

Adams knows. He saw that catch.

"The first thing I said was, 'He's ready. He's arrived,' " Adams said.

This is Week 1, remember.

Adding Dorsett's skill set to this Colts' offense — tops in the league last year in passing yards — is akin to a car collector adding a Lamborghini to a garage that already includes a Maserati, a Porsche and two Bentleys. You can never have too many toys, it seems.

But painting Dorsett as T.Y. Hilton 2.0 — both are 5-9, 180-pound South Florida boys who can run like the wind — is ambitious at this stage. Hilton has earned his reputation as one of the league's top wideouts. He's a Pro Bowler with more receiving yards (3,289) in his first three seasons than any player in Colts history. That's more than Marvin Harrison. That's more than Reggie Wayne. That tells you something.

Dorsett, meanwhile, has yet to play an NFL game.

And to hear Adams tell it, there are differences in their game, subtle as they may be. He starts with their speed.

"When T.Y. runs fast, you can see it," Adams said. "When Phillip runs, you can't really see it. It's a smooth fast. It's effortless. It's gliding. The way he gets out of his breaks, it's so smooth. I haven't seen that in a long time. I haven't seen guys run routes like him in a while. I can't even describe it."

Dorsett's speed being what it is — rare — he still has to learn the Colts' playbook. He still has to master the complexities that come with the different receiver positions (a must in Hamilton's system). He considers himself lucky, then, that he was drafted into a wide receiver's room that already included the likes of Andre Johnson (13,597 career yards to his name), Hilton (a budding star) and Donte Moncrief (who is coming off a promising rookie campaign). Dorsett just makes them deeper.

He has listened and he has learned. He takes notes from Hilton ("How to be crafty out there," Dorsett says) and from Johnson ("The way to work.") He'll undoubtedly absorb more as the seasons wear on.

There's also Luck, now more veteran than NFL youngster. Dorsett's good fortune took him from catching passes from a freshman quarterback his senior year at Miami to Indianapolis, home to a three-time Pro Bowler and the QB free agents are drooling to play with.

"Night and day," Dorsett said, comparing the two. "Andrew has total control of the offense. He helps you. Doesn't get on you too hard. If you mess up, he'll correct you and you'll get it right after practice."

So far in training camp Hamilton has lined up Dorsett all over the offense — a peek into just how creative the coordinator might be with his new Lamborghini. While Dorsett's skillset screams slot position (name a linebacker than can keep up with him), the Colts' formations will be so fluid with personnel he could line up in any of three or four spots come Sundays.

What Dorsett must do now, amidst the dog days of training camp, is prove to Luck he knows where to be.

"He's a guy that our quarterback is starting to trust," Hamilton said. "The more and more reps that he gets with Andrew, the more he will be able to contribute in our offense."

In 2014 , a third of his catches went for touchdowns with 24.2 yards per catch.

In 2012 led Miami University with receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Drafted 29th overall in the 2014 NFL draft.

Have you guessed who it is? With a 40 time of 4.27 seconds, rookie Phillip Dorsett is sure to shine this year; well, at least his coaches and teammates think so. Drawing comparison to Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson and the Arizona Cardinals‘ John Brown, the speedy deep threat has only raised excitement within the Indianapolis Colts organization.

So far, training camp has really helped Dorsett, as he is quickly picking up the Colts’ offense while showing off his talent and athleticism. Coming out of college, everyone knew Dorsett possessed a special kind of speed but Indianapolis coaches are now realizing that their first round pick has excellent hands as well. What Dorsett lacks in height, he has been making up in ability and work ethic.

To compliment it all, Dorsett has been practicing hard with his teammates to learn how he fits into the offense and in the locker room. With reports stating that veteran receiver Andre Johnson is helping mentor the young rookie, Dorsett will be learning from the best on how to act like a pro on and off the field. Like any rookie, it will take time to learn the ins and outs of a complex NFL offense but things have been looking very optimistic for Dorsett so far.

With the amount of talent the Colts currently have, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has been calling his unit the “Greatest ‘Shoe on Earth.” With a combination of the Colts horseshoe logo, and a shoutout to one of the most electric offenses, the “Greatest Show on Turf,” the Colts may have the start of their own legendary title in the making.

Whether or not the Colts live up to their slogan, the team is sure happy that Dorsett is looking like a rising NFL star.

ANDERSON, IN --- Colts first-round pick Phillip Dorsett has rare speed and the football skills to grow into an NFL superstar wide receiver, but in his first professional training camp his growth begins with lessons learned from two Pro Bowl counterparts, T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson.

“The biggest thing I learned from T.Y. is probably being crafty out there. He’s a real crafty guy. That’s how he gets open a lot,” said Dorsett Friday. “The biggest thing I learned from Andre is just the way to work, the way to go about your business night and day on-the-field and off-the-field.”

Now Dorsett knows from Johnson the way not to work as well.

“Not studying, loafing, lazy, taking snaps off,” explained Dorsett when asked the wrong things to do as a rookie. Dorsett said Johnson has also been there to correct simple things in walk-through, like not watching the ball and jumping offsides. “When it’s a run play, don’t get a block. Stuff like that.”

Dorsett is in the fraternity now, so to speak, of former University of Miami Hurricanes with Andre Johnson, even if Dorsett is a rookie and Johnson is entering his 13th NFL season.

“I worked out with him in the Summer and just seeing how he goes about his business, you want to be able to copy it because you want to go out there and play 13 years just like him,” said Dorsett.

“I think the biggest thing is you just watch him run. Speed stands out,” said Johnson Friday, when asked what he’s noticed about Dorsett. Colts Owner Jim Irsay tweeted in May Dorsett ran a 4.24 40-yard dash for a scout on grass, a time that would’ve tied Chris Johnson’s NFL Combine record on turf.

“He’s a very explosive talent. He’s going to get better with time, as he learns the game,” said Johnson.

Johnson also said he thinks Dorsett has picked up Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton’s offense very well so far, considering all the new wide receivers are still learning in camp. Physically though, Dorsett is confident he’s already improved from OTAs.

“There’s a lot of things that I have improved on coming into this camp, especially just running the short routes,” said Dorsett, before answering what’s he also still trying to polish. “Just the playbook, basically. It’s just a lot of information. I’m getting it down, because I’m all over the place (lining up in different positions). Once (the playbook) trims down during the season, I should be fine.”

Dorsett may be a season away from earning enough snaps to post upper echelon wide receiver statistics for an entire season, but the tools are certainly there for when the Colts will most certainly press him into action for specific situations as a rookie.

Almost a week into Indianapolis Colts training camp, the early reviews are clear.

Rookie wide receiver Phillip Dorsett has speed and game, veteran (don't call him old) running back Frank Gore can still accelerate, the offensive line remains a question mark and sack master Robert Mathis looks cute when he plays with his three children on the sideline.

“Timetables” remain a thing, including Mathis' timetable to return, which is sooner (according to Mathis, who's shooting for the opener) or later (according to Jim Irsay, who projects another month after that). Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton's timetable for a new deal remains fluid, as well, although agent Drew Rosenhaus chatted up reporters with the notion that both sides are fully in love and only the details remain to be worked out.

The good news revolves primarily around Dorsett and Gore, the fresh ingredients thrown into the Colts' offense along with wide receiver Andre Johnson. Johnson might end up making the biggest impact, but he's not going to be flashy in training camp in the same way Dorsett and Gore have been.

Dorsett arrived known for his speed, but he's demonstrated the other facets of his game, such as his ability to change directions on a dime, maneuver his body in mid-air and display incredible hands.

It was natural to question the Colts' decision to use a first-round pick on Dorsett when they had other seemingly more pressing needs. But there's no question, in the limited view of training camp, that he can deliver.

“His football instincts, and his ability to take the information from the meetings out to the practice field. I'll have to give him a double thumbs up from that standpoint,” Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said. “He's a guy that our quarterback is starting to trust even more and the more reps that he gets with Andrew (Luck) the more he will be able to contribute in our offense.”

Gore, meanwhile, darts his way through offensive holes with a quickness and purpose that reflect his previous accomplishments. It looks stunning to Colts observers after so long watching Trent Richardson's slow-motion approach.

There's an all-business demeanor to Gore that should be admired. He seems to attack every day as a player who has something to prove.

“When everybody else is in the offseason traveling to the Bahamas or Aruba and going here and going there and getting on boats and doing things like that,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said, “(Gore) is down in Miami grinding.”

Gore's age (32) and 10 years of grinding in the NFL give some people pause. The Colts see nothing but freshness, and his play in the limited time so far shows a veteran player but not a worn-down player.

“He looks great,” Pagano said.

As for the offensive line, the sudden release of right tackle Gosder Cherilus – a business decision to admit Cherilus wasn't effective – made it clear the Colts are confident in Jack Mewhort moving from left guard to right tackle. Mewhort seems comfortable in the spot, too. It should be upgrade.

Anthony Castonzo – another big cog with a contract to address – brings stability and production at left tackle, but Lance Louis at left guard and Khaled Holmes at center still must prove they can deliver consistently. That's a question that won't be answered in training camp, but will show up, positively or negatively, once the season hits.

That brings us to Mathis, who was put on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to open camp. That was not a surprise, but Irsay's proclamation that he's likely out until late September or early October is a revision of Mathis' previous goal.

That could be Irsay tempering expectations so no one worries about a setback if Mathis doesn't play before early October. Let's say he makes his debut Oct. 4 against Jacksonville. That would give him two weeks to sharpen his play before the Oct. 18 game against the New England Patriots.

The Indianapolis Colts' excitement for Phillip Dorsett hasn't dissipated since the speedy first-round draft pick earned rave reviews for his work in offseason practices.

Appearing on Wednesday's edition of the Around The NFL Podcast, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport relayed a sentiment at Colts training camp that Dorsett's skill set is essentially a carbon copy of Redskins deep threat DeSean Jackson's.

"They could not be higher on Phillip Dorsett," added Rapoport, who was onsite in Anderson, Indiana, on Tuesday. "I think they think they added a superstar."

When Rapoport asked a Colts coach if he was surprised they didn't address a porous defense with their top draft pick, the response was, "Well, no. This guy's that good."

For the sake of comparison, Jackson was an instant sensation as an Eagles rookie in 2008, blowing past defenses and coverage units for 1,460 all-purpose yards.

Former Colts running back Edgerrin James, who counseled Dorsett at Miami, believes his protégé will make an instant impact at the NFL level.

"I tell him once he gets in that real good offense and he gets to playing, man, he's going to be unbelievable," James told Mike Chappel of WXIN in Indianapolis. "He works hard. He does it the right way. He's a good kid. He has a love for the game. You're not going to have to worry about him. Trust me on that. And Andre (Johnson) is going to mentor him."

Dorsett's potential is one of the primary reasons offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has whipped out the "Greatest 'Shoe on Earth" tag for his suddenly stacked offense.

Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, the Colts' first-round draft pick, addressed the media shortly after arriving at camp. Here's what he had to say:

On how he feels entering camp: "Basically excitement, my first NFL training camp. Just looking forward to going to work tomorrow, knock out this conditioning stuff today, and get to work tomorrow."

On high expectations for the Colts: "Obviously it's a lot of big expectations for this team, but I definitely just try to block it out, and we just go out there and try to do our job. That's what Coach Pagano really tells us, is don't put any extra pressure on yourself. Just go out there and do your job, and everything will take care of itself."

On how much of a challenge it is to join such a potentially potent offense as a rookie: "I would say it's definitely challenging, with the magnitude of this offense and the weapons that we have. But I feel like it's something I can get through. It's something I did in OTAs and minicamp, just going out there and looking over the playbook every day, and going out there and working hard every day. And I feel like I've earned some respect; I'm looking forward to going out there and earning more and whenever my number's called, just making a play. I just want to be a playmaker, that's it."

Riskiest move: There’s no questioning receiver Phillip Dorsett's speed. He had it on display on a regular basis during offseason workouts. But the Colts used their first-round pick (No. 29) on a position that wasn’t a major priority. They had more pressing needs on the offensive and defensive line. The Colts used 11 different starting lineups on the offensive line last season and owner Jim Irsay can tell you in less than a second how many yards the New England Patriots have rushed against them in the past three meetings (657 yards). The Colts believe they have enough depth on the offensive line to offset any injuries that may occur and they feel comfortable with Josh Chapman, Montori Hughes and rookie David Parry anchoring the middle of the defensive line.

After completing offseason work, the rookie told Around The NFL on Tuesday that he doesn't know what role he will play this season alongside T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson, but plans to make plays whenever the opportunity arises.

"I consider myself a playmaker," Dorsett said from the NFL Rookie Symposium. "I want to be able to earn their trust and be a guy that they can look to to make a big play and make a play anytime. I just want to earn their trust and that's it right now."

Dorsett added that he's learned all the positions and will be ready to go from the jump of next month's training camp.

"I feel really great about the playbook. I learned most of it," he said. "Everything that they installed at OTAs and minicamp I've learned. All the positions: X, F, Y, Z. I learned them all. I love football and studying football, so it hasn't been really that hard for me."

INDIANAPOLIS -- To no surprise, Indianapolis Colts rookie Phillip Dorsett has not been a disappointment so far. The Colts wouldn't have taken him in the first round considering their need for help on defense and the offensive line if they didn't feel Dorsett was worth taking at No. 29.

What's been even more impressive about Dorsett is his ability to line up at different spots on offense. The speedster will get first crack at returning kicks and punts for the Colts.

"We wouldn't be moving him around if he wasn't able to handle that," Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said. “His aptitude has impressed me. Obviously, speed is his calling card. But it's not just that. He's a fast guy who can play football. He has receiver's hands and he has elusiveness and change of direction that sometimes true speed freaks don't have. A lot of time they're straight-liners or can't catch, or they're little guys that lack toughness or true hands. He has that skill set."

Dorsett is competing to be the Colts' No. 3 receiver with Donte Moncrief and Duron Carter. Dorsett's signature moment (so far) came during one of the early portions of organized team activities when he blew by Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis and hauled in a long pass from quarterback Andrew Luck.

As far as the other rookies go, safety Clayton Geathers has made an early impression that will make it tough to keep him off the field. He'll be used in a hybrid safety/linebacker role. Defensive end Henry Anderson could back up Kendall Langford, cornerback D'Joun Smith is the frontrunner to be the Colts' fourth cornerback behind Davis, Greg Toler and Darius Butler. David Parry will try to get in the rotation at defensive tackle. And Josh Robinson is competing with Daniel Herron, Vick Ballard (if healthy) and Zurlon Tipton to be Frank Gore's backup at running back.

"We want them to be pros, not rookies," Grigson said. "We want them to contribute this year. And to do those things, you can't just sit back and say, 'Hey, I'm a rookie.' Same as in 2012. You've gotta roll."

In the football field, defenses couldn't catch him. On the track, opponents couldn't keep up. It's all Phillip Dorsett has done since the moment he slipped into a pair of cleats as a youngster: Stand out.

History has a way of repeating itself. He has done the same thing since he became a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

He's the new guy around here, the team's latest first-round pick, the wide receiver swimming in so much upside that the Colts couldn't pass on him with the 29th selection in last month's draft despite glaring needs at other position groups (see: defensive line).

The early returns on Dorsett? They're good. Possibly great. Sure, it's just organized team activities. Players aren't even in pads yet. Training camp won't start for two months, the regular season three.

But Dorsett is turning heads in his first on-field workouts with his new team. He has attributes coaches can't coach. He's a 5-10 lightning bolt, 185 pounds of nightmare if you're a defensive coordinator in the AFC South.

It's easy to gauge talent when you see it. Dorsett has it. Plenty of it. With every leaping grab, with every burst of his did-you-see-that speed, with every stutter and slip and slash through the teeth of the defense, he validates the Colts' first-round gamble.

Vontae Davis can tell you all about it. The Colts' Pro Bowl cornerback was burned deep down the field by Dorsett during Wednesday's workout, a highlight in a morning in which Dorsett was one of the more prominently featured offensive weapons.

To be sure: Davis won't be the last defensive back Dorsett gets the better of in this league.

"I live off perfection," Dorsett said. "I want to be a perfectionist out there."

It's always a good day when you snare a deep pass from Andrew Luck over the outstretched arms of the team's best corner. Dorsett did that, then his day got better an hour later: He signed his first professional contract.

The four-year deal, set by the parameters of the rookie wage scale, comes in the neighborhood of $7.3 million guaranteed. (The club will have an option for a fifth year.) Asked what it was like to become a millionaire Wednesday, Dorsett smiled.

"Honestly, I can't tell you," he said. "Because I don't play football for the money."

It's a veteran response from a rookie who hasn't yet played a regular-season snap. For now, Dorsett simply wants to earn his keep. That means winning the trust of his coaches and the respect of his teammates.

It's what he has done since he was a football and track star growing up outside of Miami. And it's what got him his fat new contract Wednesday.

"I did earn it," Dorsett said. "When you think about all that work that I put in, it's crazy. I came a long way from high school to college to where I'm at right now. I did earn it."

While there's plenty of time left to mix and match and experiment, Dorsett has been used mainly out of the slot receiver position in early workouts. It makes sense. A player of his speed and swiftness could be the perfect complement to the veterans the Colts will line up on the outside: T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson.

Still, Dorsett is in the process of being immersed in coordinator Pep Hamilton's complex offensive scheme. He is by no means a master of it. The rookie learning curve, his coach will tell you, is a very real thing. "You've got different alignment rules, assignment rules," Pagano said. "You've got to be able to read coverage in the back end. Is it single high? Is the middle closed? Is the middle open? Do I block the corner? Do I come back and crack the safety? In the run game, he's got to learn to play without the ball as well.

"There's a lot on a young receiver's plate, especially when you're moving him around." Which seems to be what the Colts are doing with Dorsett early on. So far he's passed the eye test.

Doing so in September, when the real games start, will be the surest way to prove his worth.

As Donte Moncrief pointed out last season, young Colts receivers are at a slight disadvantage compared to other rookies because they must learn the X, Z, slot and the inside (F) spot in Pep Hamilton's offense rather than concentrating on one position.

"I've been all over the place," Dorsett said. "Basically, playing receiver here, you can't just learn one position. You've got to learn them all."

After dialing up a few deep throws to his new weapon, Andrew Luck noted that "it's definitely not too big for him. ... He fits in very, very well."

With Andre Johnson and T.Y. Hilton locked in as Luck's top two receivers, Dorsett is battling Moncrief, former CFL star Duron Carter and ex-Chargers draft pick Vincent Brown for the third spot.

Former Colts running back Edgerrin James, who counseled Dorsett at Miami, believes his protégé will be among the NFL's impact rookies.

"I tell him once he gets in that real good offense and he gets to playing, man, he's going to be unbelievable," James recently told Mike Chappel of WXIN in Indianapolis. "He works hard. He does it the right way. He's a good kid. He has a love for the game. You're not going to have to worry about him. Trust me on that. And Andre is going to mentor him."

Of course, the fit has been the biggest question. The Colts are well-stocked at the position with T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson starting, and Donte Moncrief, Duron Carter and Vincent Brown in reserve.

But Dorsett could separate himself the same way he separates from cornerbacks, with his speed. He averaged more than 24 yards per reception last year at Miami, and is falling into a system with a star quarterback who can throw a deep ball.

“All of his balls are catchable and he’s so smart,” Dorsett said of Luck. “He knows what to do. He knows where to put the ball.”

Luck can only put it in one set of hands at once, however, so Dorsett’s role this year might be unclear, as he works on returns and working his way into the starting lineup down the road.

His status as the Colts' first-round pick makes it unsurprising Phillip Dorsett is already flashing in practices.

But it was hard not to be impressed by the rookie out of Miami who, in his first week working with veterans, seamlessly worked his way into the lineup — and then some.

"It's definitely not too big for him," said quarterback Andrew Luck, who found Dorsett on a series of deep throws.

Dorsett displaying his speed at the college level is one thing, but it's already obvious that his speed also translates to the pros. Dorsett also has displayed impressive hands. He had a drop early in Wednesday's practice, but he responded with some notable catches, including a diving grab on a skinny post route.

He's also acclimating well in the classroom, where rookies often are most challenged. The Colts have Dorsett playing every receiver spot — both outside positions as well as in the slot. And he's handled the volume well for a kid who was drafted just three weeks ago.

"I'm definitely picking up the scheme," Dorsett said. "They have me playing all over the place. Concept-wise, I'm definitely getting there."

First round pick Phillip Dorsett hasn't taken long to impress his new team. The Colts' wide receiver is just two days in to OTAs with the team, but already he's catching the attention of coaches, players, and media.

That was a theme echoed by Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Dorsett said that there's "no question" that playing with Luck makes the receiver better and that, "it definitely makes a difference. All of his balls are catchable and he's so smart. He knows what to do. He knows where to put the ball." Luck laughed when told of that statement and said that, "he has to be nice to me in the public. You have to say those things."

The star quarterback is already impressed with the new receiver, however, and not just with his compliments off the field. "It's definitely not too big for him," Luck said of Dorsett adjusting to the NFL game. "He fits in very, very well. That being said, it goes for all the rookies on the offensive side of the ball. It's a bunch of guys doing some really, really good things and not missing a stride, not missing a beat. So it's fun to get those guys in the fold and work with them."

Wednesday's OTA practice was open to the media, and Dorsett's play (and his speed) caught the attention of many in attendance.

When the Colts initially made the pick to draft Dorsett, it was greeted with near universal disdain by fans, but that feeling has softened over the past few weeks as fans have realized that the receiver is certainly a good player. He was the top available guy on the Colts' board at pick number 29 and therefore they took him, and they really like him a lot. After just a few workouts and two OTA sessions, he's already receiving praise from his coaches, his teammates, and the media alike.

For Dorsett, it's simply a dream come true. "It's your dream," he said. "It's been your dream your whole life and now that you're here it's unbelievable. But now you have to take the next step and just go out there and do everything that you can to help this team win." If the early reports out of Indianapolis are any indication, Phillip Dorsett will do just that.

Hamilton added that as soon as the surprising Dorsett pick was made, he went downstairs and "ripped up" some of his 3-TE and 2-WR packages. The suggestion is that the Colts will creatively use Dorsett and Donte Moncrief behind the top-two of T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson. We'd have an easier time believing in Hamilton's optimism if his preferred sets didn't involve having both Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener on the field.

A number of former Miami players are gathering together to play for the Colts this season, and that has prompted some to label it the "reUnion." Running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Andre Johnson both signed with the Colts as free agents, joining a roster that already included tight end Erik Swoope and a coaching staff that has Chuck Pagano and Rob Chudzinski, and then in the first round of the draft the Colts selected wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, also from Miami.

Former Miami players at the Colts' skill offensive positions is not a new thing, however. For much of the last decade and a half, a former Miami player had a major impact on the Colts' high-powered offense, whether it was running back Edgerrin James or wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Because of the culture at "the U," Dorsett became familiar with seeing Johnson, Gore, Wayne, or James in the weight room as he was working out, and Edge even texted him when the receiver was drafted by the Colts.

Edge recently talked with FOX59's Mike Chappell about Phillip Dorsett, and the former Colts star had high praise. "I don't think he's scratched the surface of his talent,'' James told Chappell. "I tell him once he gets in that real good offense and he gets to playing, man, he's going to be unbelievable. He works hard. He does it the right way. He's a good kid. He has a love for the game. You're not going to have to worry about him. Trust me on that. And Andre is going to mentor him.''

For Colts fans who fondly remember the Edgerrin James days, that's good to hear him say such things about Dorsett. It's also nice to know that, while Dorsett could get great advice from the likes of Gore, Johnson, Wayne, James, or others at Miami, he now has even easier access to that advice in the Colts' locker room. The team has a number of veteran leaders (including former Miami players) who should be able to help Dorsett adjust to the NFL and excel, and the team has a star quarterback in place to help Dorsett reach his potential.

There were a number of Colts fans who were unhappy with the pick, and that's understandable. But Phillip Dorsett is a Colt, and he's a very fast and talented player who should help the team. And if Edgerrin James is a fan and thinks that Dorsett is just scratching the surface of his potential, that should certainly help to inspire confidence from fans.

Competition in the Indianapolis Colts' wide receivers' room thickened last Thursday when the team used its first-round pick on one of its deepest positions. Suffice to say when Phillip Dorsett's name was called, many were surprised.

Was T.Y. Hilton among them?

"There's nothing I can do about that," Hilton said Wednesday of last week's draft pick. "That's who they picked. That's cool with me."

Hilton could be among the Colts most impacted by Dorsett's arrival. Coming off the best season of his three-year career, Hilton is entering the last year of his rookie contract. To be sure, a big payday awaits one of the league's most talented young wideouts.

Whether or not that comes with the Colts remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Dorsett arrives this week with a skill set that is similar. He is 5-10 to Hilton's 5-9, 185 pounds to Hilton's 178, a 4.33 40-yard dash runner at the NFL Scouting Combine compared with Hilton's 4.34.

Even Dorsett's father, also named Phillip, said he was shocked last week when the Colts called his son's name. The reason? Indy's loaded at the position. Beyond Hilton, a Pro Bowler last year — 3,289 yards and 19 touchdowns in three seasons — the Colts have Donte Moncrief coming off a promising rookie campaign on top of new arrivals Andre Johnson (a seven-time Pro Bowler) and CFL signee Duron Carter.

Do they really need one more target?

Colts' brass believed so. Dorsett, in their eyes, is that talented.

"Nothing in this league should surprise anybody," Hilton said. "(It was) a pick that they thought we needed, so I guess that's what we needed to help this team."

Hilton added that he hasn't met Dorsett just yet – both are South Florida natives – and he's eager to welcome his new teammate into the fold. Dorsett arrives in Indianapolis on Thursday for a three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend.

"I haven't really watched him, (but) I know he's fast," Hilton said. "I think we're deep (at the receiver position). All of the guys can go out there and play. It's going to be fun; it's going to be a battle."

Hilton, the team's No. 1 receiver, is due a base salary of $1.5 million this season. His market value is unquestionably higher.

One Colt that has seen Dorsett in action is Johnson. The two former University of Miami players were around each other on a daily basis this winter in the weight room at their alma mater. Johnson was the not-ready-to-hang-it-up veteran, anxious to start fresh with a new team; Dorsett the eager youngster anxious for his NFL career to start.

He peppered Johnson with questions, the two oblivious they'd be teammates in two months time.

"He seems kind of like a gym rat," Johnson said of Dorsett. "Some days, you'll be like, 'Go home and get some rest,' and he's still in the weight room, trying to get better as a player. It'll be great to have him in here."

Johnson was then asked if he's ever been a part of a receiving room this talented.

"Not since college," he said, referring to the absolutely-loaded group of receivers he teamed with at Miami that included former NFL stars Reggie Wayne — the Colts' all-time leader in games played — and Santana Moss.

Likewise, you won't hear Andrew Luck complaining. The Colts quarterback has a new weapon at his disposal – and this comes a season after Indianapolis led the league in passing offense. Yes, in one regard, the rich just got richer.

Luck reached out to Dorsett shortly after the draft, calling to introduce himself and share how excited he was to add him to the arsenal.

"I know Phillip's going to be a stud," Luck said. "Runs like the wind. Tracks the ball in the air. Makes big plays. Quality, quality guy.

"I'm super stoked," Luck added. "There are a bunch of playmakers in this locker room, there really are."

Make no mistake about it — it is matter of when, not if, the Eagles will draft a wide receiver later this month in the NFL Draft.

That outcome became etched in stone when Jeremy Maclin signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving the Eagles without their top wide receiver from last season.The good news is that like last year's draft, the Eagles will have plenty of talented receivers to choose from, as the draft class is considered especially deep at the position once again.

Leaving the Eagles to decide not only what receiver they want to draft, and when, but what kind, and which receiver best compliments Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff.

Matthews and Huff, both entering their second season, were early draft picks by the Eagles last year. Matthews, despite head coach Chip Kelly wanting to take him earlier, went in the second round. Huff was taken one round later in the third.

The high-draft picks the Eagles invested in them means both will be playing a prominent role in the offense next season, and any receiver drafted will be brought in to compliment, not replace them.

One thing is clear — the Eagles, even after losing Maclin, plan to keep Matthews as their slot receiver. One reason is that Matthews didn't learn all of the outside receiver position's routes last season, and only knows the slot position. Another? He was arguably the best slot receiver in the NFL last season.

Matthews, who finished with 67 catches for 872 yards and eight touchdowns, trailed only Green Bay's Randall Cobb in catches, yards and touchdowns from the slot position.

His production, combined with the mismatch Matthews gets every week over a smaller nickle cornerback, means Matthews will spend next season right where he did last season — on the inside.

Like Matthews, Huff will also be playing the same role he did last season, he will just be playing more of it.

Huff saw limited action last season, the result of a shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason. The third-round pick ran only 106 routes, catching only eight catches for 98 yards. Of those 106 routes Huff ran, only six of them came from the slot.

Using Huff predominantly on the outside makes sense. He does not have the size Matthews does, and is better in space, as opposed to over the middle. He is perhaps the team's best receiver after the catch, as he forced six missed tackles in 210 snaps. By comparison, Riley Cooper forced only three missed tackles in 980 snaps.

With Huff manning one outside receiver position, and Matthews cemented on the inside, the Eagles will more than likely be drafting a receiver that specializes on the outside, as opposed to one built like Matthews, who excels in the slot.

Using that criteria, two receivers that make sense for the Eagles are Ohio State's Devin Smith and Miami's Phillip Dorsett.

While Huff and Matthews bring plenty to the table, neither bring the kind of straight-line, down-the-field speed the Eagles missed last season. That is where both Smith and Dorsett could add another dimension to the Eagles' offense.

Smith caught 33 passes for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, averaging a whopping 28.2 yards per catch. His big-play ability was backed up at the NFL Combine, when he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds.

Dorsett is another big-time playmaker that might compliment Matthews and Huff, as he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, and had at least one catch of 35-yards or more in seven games last season.

Both Smith and Dorsett are expected to be available when the Eagles go on the clock with the 52nd overall pick.

It’s likely that Ereck Flowers will be the first Hurricanes player chosen in the NFL draft, which begins April 30.

It’s clear the Carolina Panthers, who own the 25th pick, really, really like him.

Flowers, the 6-foot-6, 324-pound offensive tackle who left UM after his junior season, fills an immediate need for the Panthers on the right side and could eventually move to the left side. He interviewed with Carolina at the NFL combine, visited the team and worked out for top brass. The team also sent several representatives to watch him at the Hurricanes’ April 1 pro day. The Charlotte Observer even flew their beat writer to do a profile on him (though as usual, Flowers didn’t talk).

If he’s available when Carolina picks, he’ll probably join Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin. But several analysts think he might not be.

In the slew of mock drafts we found online, Flowers is slotted as high as No. 9 overall. FoxSports.com’s Peter Schrager has him going at that spot, to the New York Giants.

Miami WR Phillip Dorsett only dropped one pass on 37 catchable targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

Dorsett was targeted 67 times, but only 37 were truly catchable. There is some subjectivity here and in these cases, charters tend to side with the receivers. Regardless, this is an outstanding number for the speedy receiver. It rivals Jarvis Landry's drop rate from last year. Dorsett could be selected in the second round.

(CBS) Last season, the Bears’ primary targets in the passing game were all had similar profiles — long, physical athletes who won with leverage rather than speed. Without the threat to win over the top, defenses played split-safety looks knowing the Bears couldn’t beat them over the top. Chicago has a major need for speed at the wide receiver position.

Today we take a look at one of the fastest receiver prospects in the 2015 draft: Miami’s Phillip Dorsett.

Bio: Dorsett arrived in Coral Gables as a three-star wide receiver and kick returner prospect. He caught 12 touchdowns passes as a senior on St. Thomas Aquinas’ 5A state champion team.

As a true freshman in 2011, Dorsett played in all 12 games as a receiver and kick returner, making one start. He finished with 147 receiving yards and one touchdown. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 12 games as a receiver and kick/punt returner, making 10 starts, and led the team with 842 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Dorsett missed five games in 2013 with a partially torn MCL. He appeared in eight games and averaged 21 yards per reception. His senior season in 2014 was his most productive. He started 13 games and averaged an exceptional 24 yards per reception and caught 10 touchdowns.

Pro outlook: Dorsett was used out of the slot as well as on the perimeter in Miami’s pro-style offense. He ran the full route tree, which should ease his transition into an NFL offense.

Dorsett has game-changing speed that allows him to stack on top of cornerbacks and separate over the top. In addition to his elite long speed, he has rare change-of-direction and lateral quickness, which makes him a yard-after-the-catch threat on short and intermediate routes. His suddenness of the snap also made it difficult for cornerbacks to get a jam on him when lined up in press coverage.

Dorsett has fluid feet and loses very little speed heading into and coming out of his breaks by staying balanced. His speed allows him to quickly erase a defensive back’s cushion and gain separation whether continuing vertically or breaking off his route.

Dorsett’s still developing as a route runner. He has a tendency to rely purely on his speed to win matchups. In the run game, he’s not very physical with his downfield blocks. He was willing to come down to the slot and crack a safety, but he isn’t physically imposing on impact.

Draft projection: Dorsett is still developing as a receiver, but he has skills that simply can’t be taught. He should be selected in the top half of the second round and contribute immediately as a receiver and returner.

Miami WR Phillip Dorsett has "been impressive throughout the draft process" and "he really stood out in the passing drills" at the school's pro day, wrote ESPN's Todd McShay.

"Not only did he catch everything thrown at him and flash his usual suddenness and explosiveness as a route runner but he once again showed that he is the rare burner who can also play under control," wrote McShay. "He has a rare second gear when tracking down vertical throws, but he also doesn't need to gear down to get in and out of breaks and is able to accelerate off of his cuts. Both as a route runner and with the ball in his hands, his explosiveness really stands out." The analyst went on to discuss his thoughts on the WR class, which he says is led by a first tier of Amari Cooper, Kevin White, DeVante Parker and Breshad Perriman. McShay believes the second tier of Jaelen Strong, Dorial Green-Beckham, Devin Funchess, Devin Smith, Nelson Agholor and Dorsett could all go in late Round 1 to mid-Round 2.

In front of reps from all 32 NFL teams, the unquestioned star was receiver Phillip Dorsett. He blazed his way to an unofficial 4.25-second 40-yard dash after running an already-excellent 4.33 at the NFL combine in February. He could have settled on that time and simply performed pass-catching drills for NFL scouts, but Dorsett wanted to put on a show.

“It was just me and my competitive spirit just coming out here and doing everything,” Dorsett said. “Because I know everybody wants to see it. Everybody likes to see a guy go out and compete and do everything.”

Dorsett, who measured in at 5-foot-10 and 184 pounds, said he improved his vertical to 38 inches (he leaped 37 at the combine) and bench-pressed 225 pounds 13 times (he did not lift at the combine).

For me, the star of the day was Phillip Dorsett,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “A kid who didn’t have to do anything because he performed so well at the combine. What did he do today? Comes out runs a 4.25, 4.26, jumps 38 inches, 10-9 broad [jump], and then looked fantastic catching the football and getting in and out of breaks. I thought Phillip Dorsett had an outstanding day.”

Dorsett will work out for the Dolphins, Panthers and Falcons. What if the hometown chose him?

“Being a Hurricane and I always was a fan of the Dolphins, too,” said Dorsett, from Fort Lauderdale-St. Thomas Aquinas. “It would be great. It would be a dream come true,” he said.

* Linebacker Denzel Perryman suffered a pulled right hamstring and scratched on his second attempt at running the 40-yard dash. UM did not release official testing results to the media, but according to a group of scouts that got together and compared times, Perryman’s first heat in the 40 was a 4.67 — better than the 4.78 he ran in Indianapolis.

He did not perform in the shuttle, 3-cone and positional drills. He said not being able to finish was “real disappointing, but I think a lot of teams just wanted to see what I could run. I feel I accomplished that today. I answered a lot of questions.”

He said he measured in at 5-11 and 239 pounds and put up 30 reps of 225 pounds. He increased his vertical from 32 (combine) to 33 inches.

Perryman watched film with the Lions hours before pro day began and has three NFL team visits lined up: he will meet with the Dolphins next Thursday, the Falcons on April 12 and the Panthers on April 16. Along with Clive Walford and Dorsett, he ate dinner with Saints brass Tuesday night at Fleming’s Steakhouse in Coral Gables. Perryman said he ate shrimp and scallops (Rob Ryan had a steak, if you were wondering).

* Running back Duke Johnson ran a 4.47 twice, which was a much better result than his combine time (4.54). He also “caught the ball naturally,” according to Mayock.

Why run the 40 again? “I wanted to do it for myself, because I know I can do better, and I know I train too hard to run what I ran at the combine,” he said, adding that his “game speed speaks for itself. … If you run 4.2, 4.3 but you don’t play it, it really doesn’t make a difference.”

Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey agreed.

“When we watch guys play with helmets and shoulder pads, those are the important things,” he said. “Those guys that play fast and also run fast, that’s great. The importance is the speed they play at.” The 40 time is “a measurement — you always judge it against how they play.”

Johnson, who measured in at 5-9 and 203 pounds, said he did 18 reps of 225. He did not lift at the NFL combine.

Tight end Clive Walford did not run because he suffered a hamstring pull last week. Walford (6-4, 250) said he would meet with the Steelers after pro day and the Falcons and Packers in the coming days. He said he has talked to a laundry list of teams, including the Dolphins, Saints, Falcons, Packers, Broncos, Chargers, 49ers, Ravens, Chiefs and Buccaneers.

Walford, a Glades Central grad and South Bay native, on the hometown team: “I talked to them. I wouldn’t say a lot, but I saw that move that they made this offseason. Shout-out to the Dolphins.” He’s talking, of course, about the Fins adding Ndamukong Suh.

Is UM’s tight end tradition helping his draft stock? “We produce great tight ends,” he said. “Look at the history. We’ve got great ones to come. I feel I kept up that legacy. Hopefully the young ones do as well.

* Offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, a projected first-rounder, did not perform lifting drills – he was the top overall bench-presser at the NFL combine, with 37 reps of 225 – but did everything else. Flowers did not speak to the media (he rarely does).

Mayock was very high on Flowers, Jon Feliciano and Shane McDermott‘s performances.

“I counted eight to 10 offensive line coaches, obviously here to see mostly Ereck Flowers, who I think is going to be a first-round draft pick,” he said. “But Feliciano could get drafted. Shane McDermott could get drafted. I thought it was a great day for that whole group of players.”

* Defensive end Anthony Chickillo, who looked even lighter than he did at the combine (when he measured 6-3, 267), looked like a much more explosive player than he was as a 280-pound strong-side defensive end at UM. “Very twitchy” was Walford’s assessment. “Quick. Fast.”

* Quarterbacks Ryan Williams and Jake Heaps threw a variety of routes for scouts. Williams said he checked in at 6-4 and change and 215 pounds, and ran a 4.84 in the 40. Before tearing his ACL last April 4 – 362 days ago – he said he ran in the 5-second range. He definitely looked a lot faster than before. He has several meetings scheduled, but has not worked out with an NFL team.

“I’m always positive,” Williams said. “Regardless if I get drafted or not I’m still going to get a chance somewhere so I’m not really worried about the draft.”

* Cornerback Ladarius Gunter ran a solid 4.56 time in the 40 and looked very rangy in coverage drills. He’s projected as a mid-round pick.

* Linebacker Thurston Armbrister showed good speed and agility, though he struggled to catch interceptions in drills. Would bet he gets a shot somewhere.

* Former Hurricanes who attended included Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, Demarcus Van Dyke, Jacory Harris, Lamar Miller and Tommy Streeter. A slew of players from the 2012 and 2013 teams were there. Jonathan Vilma was also in attendance, working for NBC Sports along with former Dolphins great Jason Taylor. NFL Network had a five-person crew and analyst Mike Mayock interviewed several UM players and coach Al Golden, who did not speak to other media.

* Former Hurricanes running back Damien Berry, a Glades Central grad who won a Super Bowl with Baltimore in 2012, was the oldest of several pre-2014 Hurricanes who worked out (linebacker Tyrone Cornelius and defensive end Shayon Green, both from the 2013 team, also performed). “I’m still young, 26 years old. I think it’s time to give it another shot,” said Berry, who last played for UM in 2010 and now lives in Boca Raton. Berry, 5-11 and 230 pounds, he said he ran a 4.7 in the 40.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett is one of the fastest players in the draft, and he showed that again Wednesday at the Hurricanes' pro day, with unofficial clockings of 4.25 and 4.27 seconds in the 40.

Dorsett, who measured in at 5-foot-10 and 184 pounds, ran the 40 in an impressive 4.33 seconds at the combine, and he said Wednesday that even though he felt he had a good combine, "I knew then I would do all the drills on pro day."

Dorsett said a good start led to the great 40 time. His 4.33 time at the combine was the third-fastest, and 4.25 would have been the fastest at the combine.

NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said he thinks Dorsett is a "borderline" first-round guy and also said Dorsett is his favorite UM prospect in this draft.

Dorsett said he has scheduled meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins and that he had dinner Tuesday night with the New Orleans Saints. Dorsett said he has talked with former UM star wide receivers Andre Johnson and Santana Moss for advice, and he said the one thing he wants to show in his team visits is that "I am willing to learn, willing to work."

Dorsett's speed obviously means he can be a dangerous deep threat, but he said he has some things ne needs to work on. An example? "I didn't get pressed a lot," he said, noting that he needs to work on beating press coverage.

Dorsett and Florida State's Rashad Greene were the starting wide receivers at powerhouse Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas High, and it's likely that both will be off the board by the end of the second round.

In addition to preparing for the draft, Dorsett is taking three classes this semester and is scheduled to graduate in May with a sociology degree.

ESPN's Mel Kiper believes Miami WR Phillip Dorsett is "safe because he's so much more than a sprinter out there, and he'll be a handful to cover wherever he is lined up."

In a rather surprising opinion, Kiper listed Dorsett as one of the draft's 10 safest prospects. "He ran a 4.33 40 in Indy and also timed 6.70 in the three-cone drill, both notable because although he has speed to simply blow away cornerbacks who don't have plus-plus recovery speed, he also has the quickness to win in the slot and do major damage against zone coverages," Kiper wrote. "He lacks size but does a decent job on contested throws and has gotten a lot more consistent with his hands." If Dorsett gets out of the first round, Kiper sees him going in the first few picks in Round 2.

ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton expects Carolina to target a receiver in the second or third round of the draft.

Newton concedes wide receiver is among four positions the Panthers could address in the first round, but sees a second-day selection as more likely. Carolina needs to add a speed receiver complement to the big-bodied Kelvin Benjamin. Miami WR Phillip Dorsett could fit the bill in the second round. Dorsett ran forty-yard dash times of 4.33 and 4.35 at the Combine, and has drawn comparisons to Colts WR T.Y. Hilton.

Denzel Perryman's shoe size probably isn't much more impressive than his height (5-foot-11), but the way two-time Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis sees it, Perryman could be filling some awfully big shoes as an NFL rookie.

Those of Patrick Willis.

"If you put him in the right scheme he will be excellent," Portis told stateoftheu.com. "I can see the 49ers taking a long look at him with Patrick Willis retiring. Picking up a linebacker who comes with his attitude would really help them."

Willis retired last week at age 30 after a prolific but abbreviated eight-year career. Perryman was the soul of the Hurricanes' defense last year and is their top defensive draft prospect amid a cast of offensive prospects that includes running back Duke Johnson, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, tackle Ereck Flowers and tight end Clive Walford.

But while Perryman might be a good fit for the 49ers, the draft order suggests he might not fit any of the club's draft choices. Perryman is regarded as a late-first or early second-round prospect. Two of five NFL Media analysts project him as a late first-round pick, and Portis sees him as a late-first or early second-rounder as well. The trouble is, San Francisco picks at No. 15 in the first round -- perhaps too rich of a pick for Perryman's draft value -- and by the time the club selects again in the middle of the second round, Perryman could easily be wearing another club's hat.

A trade up or down might be required to facilitate a Perryman-49ers marriage. Regardless, Portis likes Perryman above all the other Miami prospects on the offensive side of the ball. He likened Perryman to former NFL linebackers London Fletcher, Al Wilson and Nate Webster.

"I definitely think he will go at the end of the first or early in the second round," Portis said. "Watching the film of all of the players from Miami, the person who stood out the most was Denzel, because of how he attacked the ball. He sometimes even played off double teams -- a linebacker should never face double teams."Other thoughts from Portis on Miami's top prospects:

» On Johnson: "I think Duke probably is most talented running back to ever come out of the University of Miami."That's high praise, given the long list of UM backs to have big NFL careers, including Edgerrin James and Portis himself.

» On Dorsett: "When you look at that Florida State game, Phillip Dorsett still hasn't been covered. They should have never stopped getting him the ball."Dorsett had four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in a 30-26 loss to the Seminoles last season. Of note in that game is that FSU's two cornerbacks, P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby, will both get draft-day calls, as well.

» On Walford: "If you look at his ability to get open and catch the ball, he follows well in the UM tradition of Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow and Jimmy Graham. Walford is going to be in that category."

NFL Media's Curtis Conway believes Miami WR Phillip Dorsett could be a good fit with the Colts, provided they don't invest a first-rounder in him.

"You talk about a good fit with with T.Y. (Hilton), can you imagine? Both of these speed demons out there on an island? You can't put a safety in the box to cover the run game, which means that will open up your run game," Conway said. "You get a Phillip Dorsett out there man to man, you're not gong to have a safety in the box. I like him, not right away in the first round, but maybe in the third round, I see Phillip Dorsett being a really good piece for that offense." Unfortunately, Dorsett likely won't be available in stanza three. He ranks No. 47 on Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50, and ESPN's Mel Kiper wrote recently that Dorsett is "clearly in the Round 1 mix."

"Having 4.33 speed can move you up on a lot of boards, but Dorsett isn't just a track star -- he's a capable receiver and can help a team out immediately," Kiper wrote. The 5-foot-9 5/8, 183-pound Dorsett has apparently run as fast as 4.21 in training. As we like to remind readers, though: Don't count the speed into his evaluation twice. It's already a focal point of his game tape.

The Ravens met with two of the faster wide receivers at the NFL scouting combine, Ohio State's Devin Smith and Phillip Dorsett of Miami (Fla.).

A projected second-round draft pick, Dorsett ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds. The time earned him $100,000 from Adidas as one of the fastest players at the combine.

Projected as a late first-round pick or second-round draft target, Smith ran a 4.42. Smith also talked with the Ravens at the Senior Bowl.

Smith averaged 28.2 yards per reception as a senior and helped the Buckeyes win the national championship with his ability to strike deep. He caught 33 passes as a senior for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Smith finished his career with 121 receptions for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns. He averaged 37.9 yards per score, and Ohio State went 22-0 in games where he caught a touchdown pass.

Dorsett caught 31 passes for 826 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Hurricanes. He finished his career with 116 receptions for 2,090 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Speed continues to change the game in the NFL. Over the past decade, spread offenses have been extremely popular and given the nature of speed in this draft class, there may not be one prospect faster than Phillip Dorsett out of the University of Miami. Whether it’s inside or outside, Dorsett has an extremely unique skillset and many NFL teams will be licking their chops to add the speed demon to their offense. However, the two teams that most interested in the Miami product are the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers.

According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, the Jets and the Packers have shown the most interest in Dorsett. To be perfectly clear, Dorsett is a guy that could come in immediately and help out an NFL offense. Whether it’s a deep pass or an option when the play breaks down, Dorsett is just so athletic that he finds a way to break free from his opponents and make plays in the open field.

It’s clear that the Jets need more playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Percy Harvin flashed at times and Eric Decker looks capable of putting up numbers when he gets competent play from the quarterback position. The fact remains, however, that there isn’t a lot of talent on this team that scares opposing defenses.

On the other hand, the Packers have one of the best offenses in the league. Led by Aaron Rodgers in the passing game and Eddie Lacy in the running game, the Packers beat defenses in a variety of ways. However, stud receiver Randall Cobb is an impending free agent and if he goes elsewhere in free agency, the Packers seem to have their contingency plan in Dorsett.

While both teams are looking into the prospects of drafting Dorsett for different reasons, it truly is a testament to how Dorsett can make an impact in a variety of ways for an NFL offense. Running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash just further solidified how dynamic Dorsett can be. The Jets and the Packers would have a real nice player in their hands if they drafted him.

Dorsett picked up a check for $100,000 from Adidas for running one of the fastest 40-yard dashes last Saturday at the NFL combine.

Adidas, who this summer will supplant Nike as the official outfitter of UM athletics, offered the sum to three players who signed endorsement deals and ran the fastest 40s. Dorsett, who led UM in receiving yards (871) and touchdowns (10) last year, ran his in 4.33 seconds. The other money men: Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes (4.31) and West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White (4.35).

“Phillip owes us some lunches, I’ll promise you that,” UM coach Al Golden joked. “And now he can’t tell me he doesn’t have the money to do it. I saw everybody’s Twitter [time]line last night.”

Dorsett reportedly met with the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns at the NFL draft.

Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett showed off such great speed in college that there was talk he might break Chris Johnson’s Scouting Combine record 4.24-second 40-yard dash. That didn’t happen.

But Dorsett did run the fastest time so far at this year’s Combine, finishing his 40 in 4.33 seconds.

More important than the speed Dorsett showed today in shorts is the speed he showed on the field as a Hurricane, when he averaged a whopping 24.2 yards a catch last season. Dorsett started all 13 games for Miami and finished 2014 with 36 catches for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Despite his speed, Dorsett isn’t necessarily viewed as a great prospect by NFL teams. His size (5-foot-10 and 183 pounds) is less than ideal, and some question whether he’ll be as effective in the NFL when he can’t just rely on his speed to blow past every defensive back. But he sure is fast.

"Dorsett is an undersized wideout with rare burst and speed," Jeremiah wrote. "He defeats press coverage with his quickness and he quickly eats up cushion when cornerbacks play off coverage. He is an easy/fluid route runner and he explodes at the top of his stem. He tracks the ball naturally down the field and he doesn't shy away from balls in traffic. He has a couple extension drops, but his hands are solid. After the catch, he isn't very elusive or powerful, but if he gets a crease he can run away from everybody on the field. Overall, this player lacks ideal size and physicality, but he's a valuable weapon in the vertical passing game." Dorsett will run one of the fastest 40 times at the combine. He's hoping to break the 4.3 barrier. Doing so would put him in the Round 1 discussion.

There has been a lot of talk about Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett potentially being the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine, and we're just a few days from finding out if that is true.

In a teleconference Monday, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock cited Dorsett as one of three receivers in this draft class -- Auburn's Sammie Coates and Ohio State's Devin Smith are the others -- who truly can stretch the field.

"He might run sub-4.3 (in the 40)," Mayock said. "My introduction to him came (as a broadcaster) two years ago at Notre Dame, when he dropped two passes on the first series where he was 5 to 10 yards beyond the closest Notre Dame player. I don't think Notre Dame had ever seen a guy run that fast.

"He flies and he's gotten more consistent with his hands and route-running. This kid can play and pick the top off any zone."

The fastest 40 time at the combine by a wide receiver in the past five years is 4.27 by Texas' Marquis Goodwin in 2013. Oregon State's Brandin Cooks, who was a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints, had the fastest time among wide receivers last year at 4.33.

Despite catching just 36 passes this season -- and only 121 in his four-year career -- Dorsett appears to be a coveted prospect. "He will be a good No. 2 receiver and could start as a slot guy now," an NFC scout told the Miami Herald.

Dorsett missed five games in 2013 with a knee injury, but he showed no ill effects from the injury during the 2014 season, when 10 of his 36 receptions went for TDs. He also averaged 24.2 yards per catch in 2014.

Dorsett measured a bit under 5-foot-10 and weighed 183 pounds at the Senior Bowl. NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein said Dorsett has "elite explosiveness" and "gets to top speed quickly." He also said Dorsett "takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash."

Coates, who has inconsistent hands, and Dorsett each had five receptions covering at least 50 yards in 2014, a figure that cfbstats.com shows was tied for third-most nationally. Dorsett also had 12 receptions of at least 30 yards and three covering at least 60 yards.

Dorsett's most productive season came in 2012, when he was a sophomore and had 58 receptions for 842 yards (14.5 yards per catch) and four TDs.

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (Fla.): Most NFL personnel men expect Dorsett to claim the title as the fastest man in this draft class. He has gone on the record stating his goal for the 40-yard dash: 4.29 seconds. After studying him on tape, I wouldn't be surprised to see him achieve that mark. He has effortless speed and destroys pursuit angles.

Mayock said: “The first time I put in tape of him, all I could think of was Mike Wallace running around the Senior Bowl,” Mayock said. “He was under the radar until people saw him run. I asked him his goal for the combine, and he said, ‘4.3 or better.’ You know, 4.3, 4.28 is world-class speed.”

University of Miami (Fla.) WR Phillip Dorsett might end up as a good No. 2 receiver in the NFL, and could start right now as a slot receiver according to one NFC scout.

TIP: Dorsett could end up having a career similar to that of former UM pass catcher Santana Moss. He ended up having some meaningful seasons, especially for fantasy owners, despite lacking tremendous size.

Eight Miami Hurricanes are making the pilgrimage to Indianapolis this week — eight players eyeing future dreams and envisioning the performances of their lives at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.

“It’s amazing to have seven guys who are my brothers competing with me in one place and representing our school,” said receiver Phillip Dorsett, who hopes to shatter Chris Johnson’s NFL Combine 40-yard-dash record of 4.24 seconds, set in 2007. “I’ve watched the scouting combine every year and always dreamed of being there. Now, I’m ready to perform.’’

Last year, of the five Hurricanes invited (Seantrel Henderson, Allen Hurns, Brandon Linder, Stephen Morris and Pat O’Donnell), three were drafted. This year’s NFL Draft is April 30-May 2.

“I’m really excited to go up there and show the NFL what I can offer,” said Feliciano, who said he has “slimmed down” from 335 to 325 pounds and has gotten stronger in the process. “I want to run faster and look good for the NFL scouts.”

Feliciano and projected first-round prospect Flowers leave Tuesday for Indy, as athletes by position groups are staggered throughout the week and undergo medical exams, team interviews, psychological testing and an array of performance drills.

Dorsett, a Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas graduate who was projected by analyst Mel Kiper Jr. to be drafted late in the first round, said he will run the 40 on Saturday, with the NFL Network providing live TV coverage.

“I don’t really have a goal,” said the speedster, who posted single-season career highs of 871 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014 and has been timed as low as 4.21 in the 40. He noted that the 4.21 was timed by hand-held stopwatches as opposed to the NFL’s more sophisticated electronic timers — “so, it doesn’t really count. I’m going to run my fastest and whatever happens, happens.’’

Johnson, UM’s all-time rushing leader with 3,519 yards, said his combine goal is “to be myself, have fun and show who I am on and off the field — not only in football but when it comes to interviews.

“We have to enjoy the experience because everybody doesn’t get a chance to do it.’’

Johnson, Dorsett and Perryman have continued training at UM with strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey — and a bevy of other Hurricanes, including former Canes and NFL players such as Andre Johnson, Jimmy Graham, Lamar Miller, Olivier Vernon, Travis Benjamin and Brandon Harris.

“Why work out here? Because I feel really great about myself and Coach Swasey is the reason why,” said Perryman, a first-round projection who lost seven pounds, and now weighs 238. “I’ve been working out with him for four years. My body, my speed, my strength have changed for the better because of him.”

Several other Canes seniors, who weren’t invited to the NFL Combine, will compete on April 1 at UM’s Pro Timing Day. Those include quarterback Ryan Williams, center Shane McDermott, defensive tackle Olsen Pierre and linebacker Thurston Armbrister. But for the chosen eight, the fun begins this week.

“It’s real important,” Perryman said. “You’re on national television. You have all the scouts, head coaches and general managers out there seeing what you can do. But there’s no reason to get nervous.

"Dorsett would offer Seattle something they simply don't have on the roster right now, which is a player who can consistently create space with quickness in the passing game," Kiper wrote. "The Seahawks are simply far too reliant on Russell Wilson's ability to extend plays and allow wide receivers time to get open, and Dorsett is a Porsche in terms of acceleration and the ability to start fast and stop quickly. He also can beat you deep if you let him to run in a straight line." The 5-foot-9 5/8, 183-pound Dorsett expects to run a 4.3 40-yard dash at the combine in February, though he told ESPN recently that his best forty time in training was 4.21, a time that would break Chris Johnson’s record of 4.24 seconds.

Miami senior WR Phillip Dorsett "40 time might end up being the fastest at the combine," speculates NFL.com.

"Still, as fast as he is, he never was a dominant college receiver, finishing with 121 career catches, albeit at 17.6 yards per catch and with 21 TDs; Amari Cooper had 124 catches this season alone," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin. "Still, expect Dorsett to excite scouts in the 40 and other drills." Colleague Daniel Jeremiah called him "probably ... the fastest player in this entire draft class." The 5-foot-9 5/8, 183-pounds Dorsett has 4.3 wheels.

In his latest mock draft released Wednesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Phillip Dorsett, the former Hurricanes standout wide receiver, going 31st overall to the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. He is one of three UM players Kiper projects to go in the first round, along with offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (16th overall, Houston Texans) and inside linebacker Denzel Perryman (28th, Denver Broncos).

Kiper’s reasoning for his Dorsett-to-Seattle projection:

Another player who shined in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, Dorsett would offer Seattle something they simply don’t have on the roster right now, which is a player who can consistently create space with quickness in the passing game. The Seahawks are simply far too reliant on Russell Wilson’s ability to extend plays and allow wide receivers time to get open, and Dorsett is a Porsche in terms of acceleration and the ability to start fast and stop quickly. He also can beat you deep if you let him to run in a straight line. Remember that Paul Richardson will be coming off an ACL surgery recovery period as the 2015 season starts, so an already thin wide receiving corps isn’t a given to be better without any additions.

Dorsett, from Fort Lauderdale-St. Thomas Aquinas, led UM with 871 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior and averaged 24.19 yards per catch, the best among non-College Football Playoff FBS teams.

Kiper’s reasoning for his Flowers-to-Texans projection:

Analysis: This is a spot where I can see the Texans going in a few directions, and I like the fit of a cornerback here as well. And while taking a high-upside talent at tackle isn't a flashy pick, I think it fits a pattern of taking the best player available. Flowers has emerged as a potential top-12 pick and a challenge to some of the more well-known tackles available in this draft -- and depending on free agency, it's a possibility the Texans will be looking for a rookie to come in and take over starting duties at right tackle. Flowers plays with an edge, is a coachable kid who could get better quickly, and could become an elite pass protector if he can be better with his hand placement. (As to the cornerback possibility: I'm not sure they go after Peters if Waynes is off the board.)

Kiper’s reasoning for his Perryman-to-Broncos projection:

Analysis: The Broncos were solid along the defensive line last year and made important additions in the secondary before 2014 in the secondary. Perryman could be an immediate help as an inside linebacker, an area where they could use it as a team that remains in "win now" mode, assuming No. 18 is back under center. And even if Peyton Manning isn't back (I assume he will be at this point), it's not like they're looking for a replacement at this point in the draft.

The Hurricanes haven’t produced three first-round picks in a single draft since 2007, when Brandon Meriweather (24th), Jon Beason (25th) and Greg Olsen (31st) were chosen late on opening night.

The last Cane to be selected in the first round was Kenny Phillips (2008). That streak, UM’s longest first-round draft drought since 1960-67, will almost certainly be broken this year.

The Hurricanes had 14 consecutive first-round picks from 1995-2008. UM has had at least one player drafted every year since 1974.

NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein notes that Miami senior WR Phillip Dorsett "takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash."

"Takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash. Elite explosiveness. Gets to top speed quickly and is a seamless glider on crossing routes, leaving man-to-man defenses in his wake," Zierlein wrote. The Hurricanes prospect was easily the fastest player at the Senior Bowl, and put on a show for evaluators recently. It's been said that Dorsett's best forty time in training was a 4.21, and he'll have a shot at breaking Chris Johnson's record 4.24 forty time at the combine. While Dorsett showcases explosive straight-line speed, he can also can get in and out of breaks quickly, and does a great job staying under control with his routes.

If you want to talk about the best ways to start off your NFL career, winning a free Porsche for being ridiculously fast ranks right near the top. According to ESPN, Adidas will be putting three Porsche 911 Carreras up for grabs at the NFL Scouting Combine for the three fastest participants in the 40-yard dash who sign with the company.

Three players will win Porsche 911 Carrera cars.

The offer comes from Adidas, which is promising the cars, worth about $83,000 each, to the three fastest players in the combine's 40-yard dash who sign with the company before they step up to the line. The cars are wrapped in a cheetah print that matches the company's new Uncaged adizero 5-star cleat. The ultralight shoe hits shelves Thursday.

Phillip Dorsett from the Miami Hurricanes may be the man to beat, though. According to Susan Miller Degnan of The Miami Herald, Dorsett actually set a University of Miami all-time record for the 40-yard dash at 4.21 seconds.

This month, Dorsett set a University of Miami all-time best of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bettering former Hurricane Sam Shields’ 4.26 record.

Both those times, said UM Canes strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey, were averages of a few stopwatches timing the players for each 40.

NFL Media analyst Charles Davis observes that Miami senior WR Phillip Dorsett is "able to make contested catches, despite his size," which "bodes well as he moves to next level."

"A panel of scouts selected Dorsett as the Practice Player of the Week among wide receivers at the Senior Bowl, and I thought he deserved the award. He's able to make contested catches, despite his size, and obviously that bodes well as he moves to next level. He's not going to rely on his speed alone," Davis wrote. The 5-foot-9 5/8, 183-pounds Dorsett has 4.3 wheels. The Hurricanes' burner has said he molds his game after Steelers WR Antonio Brown and Ravens WR Steve Smith.

Miami senior WR Phillip Dorsett is "more than just a vertical receiver and has the blazing feet and stop-start to beat zone coverage for big plays," according to NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

" Mind-boggling big-play production, with half of his catches going for 25-plus yards in 2014. More than just a vertical receiver and has the blazing feet and stop-start to beat zone coverage for big plays," Zierlein wrote. The 5-foot-9 5/8, 183-pounds Dorsett has 4.3 wheels. The Hurricanes' prospect has said he molds his game after Steelers WR Antonio Brown and Ravens WR Steve Smith. Zierlein noted that Dorsett "gets to top speed quickly and is a seamless glider on crossing routes, leaving man-to-man defenses in his wake."

Eight future proCanes received invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine, the Post learned.

Among them are six seniors – defensive end Anthony Chickillo, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, cornerback Ladarius Gunter, linebacker Denzel Perryman and tight end Clive Walford of Glades Central High – and two underclassmen who declared for the NFL draft.

Running back Duke Johnson and offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, both juniors, will be in Indianapolis from Feb. 17-23.

Miami senior WR Phillip Dorsett is the "favorite to run the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine next month" and has the "blur" speed "to make defensive backs look silly," wrote CBS Sports' Dane Brugler.

"He has shown that sudden footwork at the line of scrimmage to beat press and the instant acceleration to win vertically downfield. Dorsett routinely won 1-on-1 drills against the South defensive backs, including his former teammate Gunter," Brugler wrote. Dorsett, who has been compared to Antonio Brown, John Brown and T.Y. Hilton, expects to run a 4.3 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. "However, there is such a thing as playing too fast and Dorsett will do that at times, losing footing or getting wild in his breaks," Brugler wrote. "Nonetheless, he has the game-changing speed to not only make an impact on offense, but also as a return man once he adds seasoning and polish to his game."

1. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (FL) HurricanesHe was the fastest player in Mobile this week -- by a lot -- and he might be the fastest player in the 2015 class. His ability to accelerate off his cuts is a trait he shares with all of the NFL's elite speed threats (I compared it Wednesday to in-his-prime Chris Johnson). But it's about more than just speed with him. He plays under control, getting in and out of his breaks quickly to create separation, and he has very good ball skills.

3. Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL) HurricanesThis isn't a great class of tight ends, and Walford has a chance to capitalize by being one of the first ones to go off the board. Speed was a question mark entering this week, but he showed plenty of it to go with very good athleticism, size (6-4, 254 pounds) and ball skills. Moreover, he can hold his own as an inline blocker, adding to his versatility.

10. Ladarius Gunter, CB, Miami (FL) HurricanesI don't know if Gunter has elite top-end speed, but he has really good burst when closing on the ball. His strength and physicality really stand out, as he's willing to come up in run support and he excelled in red-zone drills (he stuck with his receivers and made a great play on a quick slant thrown to his teammate Dorsett, the most explosive receiver here). He has good instincts and is always around the ball.

Looking for an early favorite to run the top 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next month?

Three possibilities surfaced Saturday night on the Reese's Senior Bowl broadcast on NFL Network, as analyst Mike Mayock suggested three wide receivers -- Miami's Phillip Dorsett, Ohio State's Devin Smith and Auburn's Sammie Coates -- had a different gear than all the rest on hand for the game.

"(Dorsett) said he's shooting for a 4.29," Mayock said. "All three of those guys could be in the 4.3 range and might compete to become the fastest official 40 time in recent history."

Of course, the 84 underclassmen entering the draft will have plenty to say about the top 40 time, as well. But if Dorsett can run the time he told Mayock he is aiming for, he'll be tough to beat. Dorsett caught 36 passes for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Hurricanes, a whopping average of 24.2 yards per catch. He was unavailable for the actual Senior Bowl game due to an injury, but was arguably the most impressive receiver during the practice week.

At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, Coates would certainly turn heads with a time in the 4.3-range, which is typically occupied by smaller receivers and cornerbacks. Coates just missed a touchdown catch from Blake Sims in the Senior Bowl, getting just one foot in bounds rather than the two feet required in the NFL.

MOBILE, ALA. Growing up near Miami, Phillip Dorsett loved Santana Moss’ style. Moss was a small receiver, but boy, could he run. He also had the consummate Miami swagger, and playmaking ability to boot.

So imagine Dorsett’s elation years later when Moss, a star receiver for Washington, told Dorsett — then a receiver at Miami — that he reminded him of himself.

“It meant a lot,” Dorsett said. “I grew up watching Santana, he always was my favorite player. I talk to him all the time. I’ve got his number, we shoot (each other) texts, and when he comes in the offseason, I see him in the weight room and we talk a lot.”

So perhaps it’s fitting that Dorsett, at 5 feet 9 5/8 and 183 pounds, is earning faintly similar raves to the ones Moss received leading up to the 2001 draft, with blazing speed — Moss ran a 4.31 40-yard dash during the combine and was selected 16th overall by the New York Jets — being the most obvious trait they share.

“Just in the time it took us to say his name he already finished the 100 (meter dash),” NFL.com draft analyst Charles Davis joked about Dorsett. “God, he can fly. And he’s very smooth in doing it, too, very smooth in acceleration. I really enjoyed watching him.”

Dorsett declined to predict how fast he’ll run at the combine, but NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah opined this week leading into Saturday’s Senior Bowl that Dorsett might be the fastest player in the entire draft.

Dorsett showed it off as a senior, too, catching 36 passes for 871 yards — a per-catch average of 24.2 yards — and 10 touchdowns. Most of that had to do with his explosiveness; the rest had to do with the scheme.

“Lot of posts, go-routes, ran a couple of digs,” Dorsett said of his typical route tree. “But (other stuff) wasn’t really in the playbook that much. We liked to run the ball a lot and play-action pass and take shots. We got greedy all the time, but that’s our offensive coordinator, that’s how he is — a great guy, a great coach.”

But just because Dorsett’s offensive coordinator, James Coley, didn’t call on his fleet-footed star to run the intermediate stuff, doesn’t mean Dorsett can’t do it.

“I put a lot of work into it,” Dorsett said of his route running. “I’ve always been a guy that can win routes, I just never got a chance to show it at Miami because we didn’t run many intermediate routes. Just being here (in Mobile), having a base playbook and (running) the routes we’re going to run at the next level is a blessing. I’m glad I got a chance to do it.”

That said, Dorsett has been motivated to dispel any notions about his skill-set at Senior Bowl practices this week.

“I’m trying to be a complete receiver, not just a one-trick pony,” Dorsett said. “Show I can do the dirty work, make the tough catches, run good routes … I feel like I showed this week that I can run them all.”

Still, Dorsett knows that at his size, he will always need to be diligent about improving his technique against press coverage.

“I’ve always been a guy that can beat it, but in the NFL, you’ve got bigger and longer corners with more technique, more experience,” Dorsett said; “So just perfecting that (is important) at the next level.”

Still, Dorsett’s game-breaking speed should be attractive for myriad NFL teams, including the Chiefs, who interviewed him this week.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid boasts a notoriously complicated playbook that sometimes forces receivers to adjust their routes based on coverages, but Dorsett says he has plenty of experience doing that.

“I’ve always been a small receiver, I know coverages,” Dorsett said. “I’ve always had to adjust to different coverages.”

Dorsett is ranked as the No. 72 overall player in the draft by ESPN and No. 134 by CBS Sports. That puts him in the second, third or fourth-round range, where draft analysts like Davis feel like he can make an immediate contribution, just like former Miami teammate Allen Hurns — an undrafted free agent who caught 51 passes for 677 yards and six touchdowns for the Jaguars — did this season.

“It’s funny because we had Allen Hurns from Miami last year at the East-West Shrine Game, and people didn’t talk about him much,” Davis said. “But remember how he showed up real early in the season? I think Dorsett is a better player than that. A much better player.”

And while expecting Dorsett to be the next Moss — a 14-year pro who has carved out a very nice career in the NFL despite his size — is unfair, Davis said Dorsett can fit in practically any scheme.

“Yeah, I could see him fitting anywhere,” Davis said. “Because anyone that has that kind of speed and can’t figure out how to use him is a lousy coach.”

Scout's Inc. observes that what stands out about Miami senior WR Phillip Dorsett "is that he has under-control speed."

"Some guys are burners in a straight line but can't gear down or get in and out of breaks under control enough to catch the ball. That isn't the case with Dorsett, who possesses every quality you want in a deep speed threat," wrote Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl. "One thing that all of the NFL's elite home-run threats all share -- whether they are running backs or wide receivers -- is the ability to accelerate off of their cuts. We saw that with Dorsett on Wednesday, as he ran a shorter route, snatched the ball out of the air on the fly, made a guy miss and then accelerated off his cut. It reminded us of Chris Johnson. We were blown away watching him weave in and out of traffic at full speed; he is just so good with the ball in his hands." The Scout Inc. team concludes with a statement surprising in its optimism for the prospect: "We didn't know he was this good. He could find himself solidly in the Day 2 of the draft range."

On a field crowded with NFL prospects, it was easy to pinpoint his top wide receiver. Some may knock Miami's Phillip Dorsett for his diminutive frame, but his explosiveness and speed are too difficult to ignore."If you look past his size, he's a football player,'' the scout said of the 5-9, 183-pound Dorsett at the South team's practice Wednesday. "He's going to go somewhere and he's going to kill it.''

To no surprise, the Jets -- a team with plenty of needs, including receiver -- interviewed Dorsett here. But they're just one of several teams interested in the speedster. Dorsett couldn't remember all of the teams he met with this week, but he did mention the Eagles, Dolphins, Browns and Ravens. "It's a lot of teams,'' he said. "Almost all of them, honestly.''

According to NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, Dorsett likely will be the fastest player in the 2015 draft class. Dorsett said he ran a 4.21 40-yard dash during his last year at Miami. But he's also well aware his small stature will scare some teams off.

Dorsett said he's comfortable returning kickoffs and punts. "I'm just trying to show everybody what I can do. I'm not just a one-trick pony.''

Another small receiver who's gained a lot of attention here is Kansas State's Tyler Lockett. The fellow South member is only 5-9½ and 181 pounds. But although he may not possess the blazing speed of Dorsett, Lockett's quickness was on full display Wednesday when he smoked converted cornerback Nick Marshall of Auburn and Northwestern State's Imoan Claiborne for back-to-back downfield touchdowns.

Lockett knows his size is a disadvantage, but he's confident his versatility as a receiver and special-teamer will increase his stock. "As small as I am, I'm tough,'' he said. "I'll take a hit. I'll do whatever it takes.''

Lockett's father, Kevin, set several Kansas State receiving records -- many of which were broken by his brother Aaron or by Tyler -- and was a second-round pick of the Chiefs in 1997. Kevin Lockett ended his career with the Jets in 2003.

"My dad and uncle went to the league, so I already know what to expect,'' Tyler Lockett said. "My dad told me, even coming here: 'It's still football. You're doing exactly what you did in games. So just don't make it bigger than it really is.'''

MOBILE, Ala. -- When it comes to football, there are different levels of speed. Antonio Brown and DeSean Jackson come to mind as receivers who can vertically stretch the field because they’re often simply faster than the defensive backs who attempt to cover them. Here at the Senior Bowl, wideout Phillip Dorsett is striving to become one of the names on that short list.

He was introduced to the media at the stat of his Wednesday news conference as likely the fastest player in Mobile, and backed it up by saying that his fastest recorded 40 time basically broke the sound barrier.

“I have the U of M record -- 4.21 last summer,” Dorsett said.

That, folks, is super fast.

Of course, the Hurricanes have a long history of producing talented wide receivers. You’ve probably heard of Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Devin Hester, and Santana Moss -- all four are Miami products drafted since 2001.

And of that group, Dorsett said that he has developed a strong relationship with Moss.

“Every offseason he comes down and he works out at The U,” Dorsett said. “That’s kind of a guy I emulate my game off of. We talk all the time, we text all the time. He’s a really good guy as well. We have the same skill set, same body frame.”

Though he’s now 35, Moss has continued to play in the league. The 14-year veteran recorded 10 receptions for 116 yards, including three catches for 43 yards in the Rams’ 24-0 shutout victory on Dec. 7.

Dorsett said that Moss has made a real impact when it comes to running routes and noticing tendencies from defensive backs.

“Stay low, don’t give the DB any indication for when you’re breaking down,” Dorsett said of Moss’ advice. “Even things like playing in the slot, because he transitioned to the slot once he got a little older. Doing things like reading zone coverages, things corners do when they’re playing zone.”

“There’s a lot of different things and I’m just blessed to have him … in my corner,” Dorsett added.

That advice appears to have paid significant dividends, as Dorsett had a standout senior season. He caught 36 passes for 871 yards -- good for 24.2 yards per reception. That number was No. 1 in the ACC and No. 2 in the NCAA. He recorded a catch of at least 30 yards in nine of Florida’s 13 games in 2014.

Given those numbers, it’s clear Dorsett is a strong vertical threat. But he said he wants to be known as an all-around receiver, not just someone who can take the top off.

“I feel like I can play outside, inside,” Dorsett said. “Route-running [is one] of the things that they may have had a knock on me because I didn’t do much of it at UM, because I was a straight vertical route runner. So I’m just trying to show teams that I can do everything, that I can basically be an all-around receiver.”

While it can be difficult for receivers and quarterbacks to adjust to one another in a short time, Dorsett relayed that he had a bit of a leg up, given his relationship with one of the South team’s quarterbacks.

As for the next few weeks, Dorsett didn’t want to offer a prediction for just how fast he would run at the combine. But he did state a goal.

“Anything under 4.3,” he said, “That’ll be fine.”

Given how fast he’s proven to be in the past, he certainly has a good chance to do just that and plenty more at football's highest level.

MOBILE, Ala. -- It was no secret in South Florida that the Miami Hurricanes had talented football players.

Despite their 6-7 record, those who follow the program knew there were many high-caliber athletes on the team. Yet, something wasn’t right with the team, whether it was inconsistent coaching or overall team chemistry.

This week at the Senior Bowl, the Hurricanes' talent is shining through. Hurricanes receiver Phillip Dorsett, tight end Clive Walford, linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Ladarius Gunter all had their "wow" moments in practices this week and are generating a buzz at the Senior Bowl.

Perryman and Gunter made plays defensively for the South team on Tuesday, while Dorsett and Walford were the stars of Wednesday’s practice with big receptions. After a disappointing year at Miami, the four are doing all they can to improve their draft stock.

So how do you explain Miami’s losing record in 2014? The program continues to have solid recruiting classes but is far removed from its glory days when the Hurricanes competed for and won national championships. Things bottomed out last season as Miami finished under .500 for the first time since 2007.

“A lot of things didn’t go our way last year. I can say that,” Dorsett said. “A lot of things went the wrong way. We just got to get guys to really buy in. It’s not on the coaches, it’s on the players. Coaches coach and players got to go out there and play. That’s all I can really say about it.”

Perryman, a team captain at the University of Miami, had the same sentiments.

“For me, I feel like just a lot of miscommunication and not executing the game plan,” Perryman said. “That’s where I feel we fell short, both on offense and defense.”

Multiple teams, including the Dolphins, have interviewed Hurricanes players this week to get to know them better. The Dolphins have specifically interviewed Dorsett and Perryman at the Senior Bowl. That’s not a surprise considering their need for a speedy receiver and a take-charge linebacker.

Overall, the Hurricanes are fitting in well with some of the college talent from around the country -- both on and off the field.

“[It's] pretty cool,” Walford said of Senior Bowl week. “Ifeel like I’m at home. Idon’t feel like I’m in Alabama at all.”

A Miami product from Fort Lauderdale, Phillip Dorsett wouldn't have many obvious connections to Alabama. He wasn't a Crimson Tide recruit and he never encountered Alabama on the field.

But he's crossed paths with two of the biggest names in the 2014 Tide offense at different points in his life. Dorsett's been training with former quarterback Blake Sims in Boca Raton while he hosted Amari Cooper on a recruiting visit.

This week he's sharing the Senior Bowl's South team roster with Sims. After the second practice Wednesday, he's impressed with what Sims is showing after his one year starting.

"We already had a chemistry before we got here," Dorsett said. "He's got a lot better and our chemistry got a lot better from our first two practices. I'm glad I get to play with him and get in the game with him."

Sims appeared to improve on his Tuesday practice performance when the South team worked out at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, site of the 3 p.m. Saturday Senior Bowl.

Though there is chatter of Sims potentially being more marketable as a running back, he is fully committed to the job of a passer. Dorsett, one of the fastest receivers in the draft who is getting strong Senior Bowl reviews, agrees with that.

"I think he's a quarterback," he said. "He takes command of the huddle and throws a really good ball ― a really nice ball. If he gets in the right system, I think he could play quarterback."

Dorsett was familiar with Sims' game from watching another former acquaintance play. He knew Cooper, a Miami native, from his time in South Florida.

Dorsett distinctly remembers being Cooper's host on an official visit the Coral Gables campus just minutes from his home.

"I knew he wasn't coming to Miami. I knew he was going to Alabama," Dorsett said with a chuckle. "We went to somebody's house and we were playing video games, NCAA, and he picked Alabama. So I was like, yeah, he's not coming."

But he followed Cooper's career closely and the now-former Alabama player is projected as the draft's top receiver. Dorsett remembers being blown away by Cooper in a camp coming off an injury in his junior year of high school.

"I knew he was going to be good," Dorsett said. "That's one of those special guys who comes around every 10 years. He's going to be good."

The Miami football program has been mediocre in recent years, but the Hurricanes continue to pump out NFL talent, including tight end Clive Walford, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, cornerback Ladarius Gunter and middle linebacker Denzel Perryman on the South squad at the Senior Bowl. And during Wednesday's practice, that talent shined bright.

A prospect who stole the show during South practice, Walford routinely drew praise from the Jaguars coaching staff for his routes, athleticism and ability to finish at the catch point. He has an easy release off the line of scrimmage with the route acceleration to threaten the seam and be a downfield target. Walford doesn't have an elite frame for the position, but he knows how to use his size to shield defenders from the ball and create mismatches down the field. Walford entered the week in contention to be the No. 1 senior tight end drafted and he's only helped his chances of that happening through two practices in Mobile.

He has looked “as advertised” from his Miami game film.

The favorite to run the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine next month, Dorsett has “blur” speed to make defensive backs look silly. He has shown that sudden footwork at the line of scrimmage to beat press and the instant acceleration to win vertically downfield. Dorsett routinely won 1-on-1 drills against the South defensive backs, including his former teammate Gunter.

However, there is such a thing as playing too fast and Dorsett will do that at times, losing footing or getting wild in his breaks. Nonetheless, he has the game-changing speed to not only make an impact on offense, but also as a return man once he adds seasoning and polish to his game.

Gunter is one of the bigger corners in Mobile this week at 6-1 and 200 pounds with 32-inch arms, but he's shown the foot quickness that match much smaller players, moving very well for his size. He uses his length to contest any pass in his area code, blanketing receivers and impressing with his cover skills. Like most bigger cornerbacks, Gunter does need some refinement with his transitional technique, but overall, he has showed scouts more positives than negatives this week.Unfortunately Perryman had to pull out of the Senior Bowl after a strained abdomen muscle on Wednesday. But his performance on Tuesday was enough to create a little buzz in the bleachers among scouts.

Miami finished with a 6-7 record in 2014, but after Anthony Chickillo, Jon Feliciano and Shane McDermott played well at the East-West Shrine Game last week and these four Hurricanes in Mobile, its clear there was more talent in Coral Gables than the record gives them credit. And that doesn't include Miami's top two prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft class – underclassmen running back Duke Johnson and offensive tackle Ereck Flowers.

It was a strong week for slot receivers. University of Miami’s Phillip Dorsett and Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett, who are 5-feet-10 and 5-9, respectively, both improved their stocks. Lockett displayed good quickness and the ability and toughness to catch in traffic. Dorsett did a good job using his blazing speed to take the top off the defense with big plays. Dorsett also showed good hands on shorter routes. Both players created a nice buzz for themselves.

The Reviews are coming in from the #SeniorBowl especially for Future #NFL #proCane TE Clive Walford, who was just named Player of the Day at the Senior Bowl practice... FOLLOW OUR TWITTER FEED FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE UPDATES HERE

"#Miami TE [Clive Walford] is definitely the best TE here in Mobile. He's making a lot of money today." - Mike Loyko

"Clive Walford is looking very good. Taking all challenges and beating them. Just made a nice catch on a double move." - Turron Davenport

The Atlanta Falcons are known for plucking players out of the NFL Draft based on strong showings in the Senior Bowl, and there's no particular reason to believe that will change in 2015. Given that, we regard this item from Mocking the Draft's Dan Kadar with real interest.

The 2015 NFL Draft is again loaded at wide receiver and that was proven during Tuesday's practice. Arguably no one had a better day than Miami's Phillip Dorsett. He's easy fast, meaning that it doesn't take him much effort to get into top gear. Considering that he might be the fastest player in the draft, it was impressive watching Dorsett zip through routes. He caught almost everything thrown at him and quickly learned from the coaching of Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan...

Dorsett spent a lot of time after practice interviewing with an Atlanta Falcons scout.

Dorsett reeled in 36 catches for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns for Miami last season, so you can see that speed in action, even if he wasn't the team's top target.

Hearing the Falcons are focusing in on a rookie receiver with terrific wheels is music to all of our ears, I think. Kadar told me "it was seriously about 20 minutes, which is a little unusual," so you wouldn't be remiss in thinking that Dorsett is a potential target for Atlanta. It's worth remembering that the team's receiver depth chart currently features Julio Jones and three guys who will be 30 years or older heading into the 2015 season, so receiver is a genuine need. It helps that Dorsett is currently projected to go around the fourth round, though a dominant Senior Bowl week could obviously help his stock considerably.

Miami's Phillip Dorsett caught just 36 passes during the 2014 season, but his speed makes him one of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects in the 2015 draft.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Wednesday during NFL Network's telecast of Reese's Senior Bowl practices that Dorsett (5-foot-9 5/8, 183 pounds) "probably is going to be the fastest player in this entire draft class."

Dorsett played at prep powerhouse Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, where he formed a formidable duo with Florida State star receiver Rashad Greene.Dorsett impressed onlookers during Tuesday's practice.

"Some guys can run fast, but they have to work hard to do it, which limits what they can do out of their breaks," an NFC player personnel director told NFL Media analysts. "Dorsett is more natural with his speed and movement."

NFL Media analysts mentioned names such as Antonio Brown, John Brown and T.Y. Hilton as potential comparisons; all four played high school ball in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

Dorsett missed five games in 2013 with a knee injury, but he showed no ill effects from the injury during the 2014 season, when 10 of his 36 receptions went for TDs. He also averaged 24.2 yards per catch in 2014.

He is not the only fast receiver on the South squad this week, though. Auburn's Sammie Coates (6-1 3/4, 213) also is a burner, but NFL Media's Mike Mayock said Wednesday that "while you love the speed," Coates' inconsistent hands are an issue that will be closely monitored.

The highest-rated prospect is Ereck Flowers, UM’s former left tackle who skipped his senior season to turn pro. WalterFootball is high on Flowers, projecting him ninth overall to the New York Giants and the second offensive lineman taken. A website called Great Blue North Draft Report believes Flowers will go 14th to the hometown Dolphins. Flowers is projected 21st overall by CBS Sports’ Rob Rangand by FootballsFuture. CBS’ Dane Brugler projected Flowers 30th to Denver.

Perryman is a projected as a first-rounder per Sports Illustrated, the 21st overall pick. He also snuck into the first round of WalterFootball.com’s latest mock draft, going 30th to Denver.

The website DraftTek did a seven-round mock draft that included eight Hurricanes, led by Perryman (second round, 42nd to Atlanta). Flowers (65th to Tampa) and Johnson (73rd to Atlanta) were third-round picks. Also projected to be drafted: Walford (fourth round, 125th to Green Bay), Gunter (fifth round, 132nd to Oakland), Dorsett (seventh, 194th to Tampa) and Pierre (seventh, 212nd to Philadelphia). The site also listed junior Tracy Howard (sixth, 183rd to Pittsburgh), who has not declared for the draft.

Anthony Chickillo, Jon Feliciano and Shane McDermott will play in the East-West Shrine Game (4 p.m. Saturday, NFL Network). Feliciano and McDermott (of Palm Beach Central) will play for the East team, while Chickillo is on the West roster.

Olsen Pierre will play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl as will UCLA’s Malcolm Bunche, a former Cane (4 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2). Team practices will be televised Wednesday and Thursday on ESPNU.

The 2015 NFL Draft is still several months away, but with the Miami Hurricanes’ season complete it can’t hurt to take a peek at some of their intriguing pro prospects.

The Canes might’ve finished the season with a subpar 6-7 record, but it appears there’s a solid crop of incoming NFL talent coming out of Coral Gables. Six players are projected to go in the first four rounds, according to CBS Sports rankings, which is run by NFL Draft Scout.

It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see a player like Dorsett, blessed with superhuman speed, climb up the draft boards after what should be a dynamic performance at the NFL Combine or Miami’s Pro Day.

Defensive end Anthony Chickillo, center Shane McDermott, and offensive guard Jon Feliciano are projected to go in the sixth round or later, while many scouting services expect 9-10 Canes to get drafted overall. In Todd McShay’s first mock draft on ESPN, he projected both Flowers and Perryman to go in the first round.

For comparison’s sake, projections were pulled for in-state ACC rival and powerhouse, Florida State. They’re expected to have 10 players go in the first four rounds, but this figure assumes undecided underclassman Eddie Goldman, Ronald Darby, and Roberto Aguayo declare for the draft.

So although the Canes aren’t expected to churn out quite the same quality and quantity of NFL players this season as the Noles, talent is not as much of a scarcity as Miami’s 6-7 record would seemingly indicate.

NFLDraftScout.com projects all four players as draft picks for the Hurricanes with Perryman currently tabbed as the best of the senior group at 58th overall (2nd round) -- seven spots behind junior tailback Duke Johnson, considered UM's top draft prospect.

Walford, who is enjoying a stellar senior season, has seen his draft stock rise over the last couple weeks and is now tabbed as the second-best available tight end, and the 74th best prospect (2nd or 3rd rounder). Junior left tackle Ereck Flowers is also receiving a lot of love after his stellar performance against FSU two weeks removed from knee surgery. Flowers is tabbed the 77th best prospect and the ninth best draft-eligible offensive tackle (2nd or 3rd rounder).

Truth is, though, Flowers could soar even higher -- maybe into the first round.

"I think he'll go first round or early second," an NFL scout who spoke on the condition of anonymity told me by phone Thursday. "I haven't watched the [FSU] tape yet. But I don't have to. He's a big, physical, good player. And he's tough as hell."

In article by NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang on Wednesday Flowers was been tabbed the 30th best prospect overall.

30. Ereck Flowers, OT, 6-5, 322, 5.26, Jr, Miami: Flowers returns to the Big Board after a very impressive performance against Mario Edwards, Jr. and Florida State. He dropped off the list after undergoing knee surgery in late October but certainly looked no worse for wear against the defending champs. Flowers is light on his feet and balanced in pass protection. He is aggressive and active as a run blocker, including looking for defenders in pursuit. If Flowers checks out medically, he's a likely first-round pick.

Gunter is tabbed as the 18th best available cornerback in the draft and projected to go in the fourth round along with Dorsett, ranked the 20th best receiver.Senior defensive end Anthony Chickillo, now expected to play at Virginia on Saturday and make his 45th consecutive start, is rated the 18th best defensive end and is given a 4th or 5th round grade. Other Hurricanes seniors on NFLDraftScout.com's projected board include outside linebacker Thurston Armbrister (210th overall, 6th round), defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (228th overall, 6th-7th round), guard Jon Feliciano (234th overall, 6th-7th round), and center Shane McDermott (298th overall, 7th round-free agent).

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